Missouri women’s soccer was eliminated from contention for the SEC tournament after losing at Alabama in a 3-2 overtime heartbreaker.
Just 52 seconds into the overtime period with the score tied 2-2, Mizzou conceded a penalty kick. Alabama forward Abbie Boswell stepped up and scored the game-winning goal, her second of the match.
Mizzou (6-11-1) has struggled all season with conceding early goals, and it was a problem again on Sunday. Boswell gave Alabama (11-6-1) a 1-0 lead just 25 seconds into the match, firing a shot off the left post and over the goal line.
In the 27th minute, sophomore Sarah Luebbert equalized for Mizzou. After receiving a pass from senior Jessica Johnson outside the box, Luebbert sent a low shot off the right post for a goal. The goal was Luebbert’s team-leading sixth of the season and was her fourth goal in as many games.
Ten minutes later, Alexis Mouton made a run in behind Missouri’s defense, rounded keeper Kelsey Dossey and restored Alabama’s lead.
Just before the break, Mizzou equalized again through sophomore Grace Kitts’ first goal of her collegiate career. Kitts deflected a long cross from Peyton Joseph past the keeper to tie the game at 2 heading into the second half.
While the first half was filled with goals and drama, the second half was not and the game entered overtime tied 2-2. Mizzou outshot the Tide 20-12 but conceded a penalty 52 seconds into overtime that doomed the Tigers to a 3-2 defeat.
“I was very proud of our team coming from a goal down twice in the game,” head coach Bryan Blitz said in a press release. “They fought hard for our seniors and for our program. We had multiple chances to finish. The most important thing now is to honor our seniors against LSU on Thursday.”
Missouri will conclude its season Thursday as the team hosts LSU at 6:30 p.m. for senior night.
_Edited by Joe Noser | jnoser@themaneater.com_