The losses have started to pile up for Missouri soccer, as the Tigers have dropped their last three matches. Missouri fell to Georgia 2-1 and No. 7 Arkansas 1-0 at home and there’s plenty to learn from going forward.

The Tigers often fell behind early, with all three goals in their losses coming in the first half. This has been a worrying trend all season, as Missouri has given up 10 goals in the first 45 minutes through 11 games. In the games Missouri has given up a first-half goal, and the Tigers have a record of 2-4-2. 

Not only have the Tigers given up a handful of first-half goals, they’ve struggled with responding late. During their most recent homestand, the Tigers did not score in the second half. Missouri has not scored a single goal in the last 15 minutes of a game this season.

Part of this drought has come from Missouri’s lack of opportunities. During the first nine games, the Tigers outshot their opponents 121-63. In their last two games, however, their opponents have flipped the script, outshooting Missouri 21–15. The same is true in shots on the net, as the Tigers only had nine during this homestand, while their opponents racked up 15.

However, these extra shots have been a good test for sophomore goalkeeper Bella Hollenbach. She racked up a season-high seven saves against Arkansas, with the only blemish on the sheet coming off a penalty kick.

Missouri’s defense has begun to find its footing, most notably with senior captain Grace Pettet. She hasn’t been taken out of a game once, operating as a consistent leader to keep the Tigers’ back line in check. Her only big mistake this season came in the loss to Georgia, in which she received her first yellow card of the season. Pettet has been great at avoiding cards, as this was only the fifth of her entire career.

Hollenbach and the Tigers will hope to rebound as they head back on the road to face off against Ole Miss at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5.

Edited by Quentin Corpuel | qcorpuel@themaneater.com

Copy Edited by Sterling Sewell | ssewell@themaneater.com Edited by Sophie Rentschler | srentschler@themaneater.com