Missouri soccer lost 7-0 to No. 8 Duke during a trip to Durham, N.C.. 

Duke proved to be a formidable team, winning their fifth straight match by shutout. In six games this season, the Blue Devils’ defense has only allowed one goal, and it was their only loss in the season opener against Ohio State. 

Missouri’s defense played physically and it often resulted in Duke players on the ground, which annoyed the Duke coaching staff. Duke head coach Robbie Church yelled at the referee and voiced his disapproval after a Duke player appeared to be fouled, but no infraction was called. The Tigers’ defense was outmatched on the near and far sides of the pitch, where Duke started the majority of their offensive attacks. 

Missouri junior goalkeeper Bella Hollenbach started off with two good saves to turn away the Blue Devils’ offense. But Duke spent so much time in their offensive zone that the Tigers’ defense failed to keep up. Duke midfielder Maggie Graham pushed a shot under the outstretched arms of Hollenbach to start the scoring. Five minutes later, Duke added a second goal via fifth-year senior midfielder Katie Groff. The home team flexed their offensive muscles with two more goals to end the half, leading 4-0 at halftime. 

Hollenbach allowed two more goals in the first nine minutes of the second half. She was eventually pulled in favor of sophomore goalkeeper Kate Phillips. The Tigers kept Duke out of the back of the net for 32 minutes before sophomore forward Mia Minestrella scored her second of the night on a penalty kick. 

Freshman forward Mia Devrouax led the Tigers with two shots on goal, but both were late in the game and saved by the goalkeeper. Missouri only managed five shots in this game, with just two in the first half.     

Conference play is right around the corner, with Missouri hosting Texas A&M at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sep. 19.    

Edited by Dylan Heinrich | dheinrich@themaneater.com 

Copyedited by Natalie Kientzy | nkientzy@themaneater.com 

Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com