In a 3-1 victory over Weber State on Sunday in Columbia, Missouri soccer (6-3, 1-1) proved they can compete without three pivotal offensive players. Allie Hess and Rachel Hignett were able to pick up the slack in the Missouri victory as three starters were suspended.
In the first-ever meeting between Mizzou and Weber State, Mizzou headed into its second straight game without Sarah Luebbert, Kaitlyn Clark and Bethany Coons, who were suspended before Thursday’s game against Tennessee.
“They broke team rules,” coach Bryan Blitz said. “They will all be back tomorrow in training, we will move forward, and that’s really it.”
Moving forward is exactly what the Tigers needed to do after a 2-0 shut-out loss to Tennessee on Thursday.
“Anytime you have a loss it’s important to bounce back,” Blitz said. “One of our mottos is one doesn’t make two.”
Mizzou responded with 25 shots, the most shots the Tigers have had in a game this year. The Missouri defense limited WSU to only four.
“Sundays are definitely hard, because after playing a full Friday game, everyone is tired,” Hess said. “You have to dig deep and get out there.”
Adjusting to a starting lineup shaken by suspensions cost the team against Tennessee and in the early part of the game against Weber State. Defensively, the Tigers continued to press, not allowing WSU to get into any rhythm offensively. Mizzou controlled the ball and possession but struggled at times to capitalize on early chances at the net.
This game was also marked by how physical play was; Mizzou reaching a new season high for fouls with 13.
“We like physical,” Hignett said. “In training we are always being physical with each other. We are prepared for that battle and that scrap, and that’s what we came here to do.”
This defensive struggle was broken up by a flurry of goals. The Tigers scored three goals in six minutes.
Mizzou was able to capitalize on a corner kick to score the first goal.
“We pride ourself in our set pieces,” Hess said.
Savannah Trujillo perfectly placed an assist right on Hess’ foot to start the goaling mirage in the 20th minute.
The was quickly followed in the 23rd minute by WSU’s Paige Stevens slipping an unassisted goal past Kelsey Dossey. Dossey was making her first start after not traveling with the team to Tennessee due to illness.
The tie did not hold long, though, as Hess blasted in another goal in the 26th minute, her fourth on the year.
“We had that talk yesterday,” Blitz said. “I just said, ‘We need more from you. You have to really finish and create chances to score goals for us moving forward.’ She really stepped up and did that.”
Defensively, Mizzou played perfectly in the second half, holding WSU to only one shot and no goals. The Mizzou scoring, on the other hand, continued from Hignett in the 71st minute.
“[Allie Hess] did all the hard work,” Hignett said. “I just made it look good by putting it in the back of the net.”
Mizzou will be back to full strength Sept. 22 as they take on Southeastern Conference rival Kentucky.
_Edited by Peter Baugh | pbaugh@themaneater.com_