The Missouri Tigers got a win when they needed one.
Missouri (5-9-2, 2-5-1) broke its three game losing streak with a 2-0 win over the Florida Gators (5-8-3, 3-3-2) at Walton Stadium on Oct. 21. The Tigers moved temporarily into tenth place in the SEC, the last spot to qualify for the conference tournament.
Freshman Skye Kingsley, who tallied Missouri’s first goal of the season back on Aug. 17, secured the win with her second career goal in the 66th minute of the game amid commotion in the box. The cross came in to the box from Blythe Beldner, where it bounced off of the feet of multiple players before finding Kingsley and then the net. Morcquess Oliphant was credited with the assist, her first points for the season.
It gave Missouri its first multi-goal win of the SEC season.
Sarah Luebbert laid the foundations for Kingsley’s goal and Missouri’s win early in the first half. Not even ten minutes into the game, she found herself in front of the goal when Bella Alessi hit her a ball from the left wing. A quick tap sent the ball past Florida goalie Kaylan Marckese and into the net.
Luebbert had her best showing of the season, logging five shots in the first half across several breakaways.
“I love just being able to run into the open real estate, dribble and take people on,” she said after the game. “There was a lot of space out wide because of [Florida’s] formation.”
Prior to the game, Missouri honored its seniors for their accomplishments with the program. Kelsey Dossey, Rachel Hise and Lauren Gaston took the field alongside their parents and team manager of two years, Adam Sportsman, who was also recognized. All three seniors started and ended the game on the field together.
Coach Bryan Blitz ditched his usual slacks and Missouri polo and donned a black suit for the afternoon, which he kept on for the entirety of the game.
“Any time a Mizzou athlete can make it as an SEC senior, I have to show respect,” Blitz said.
Even with the win, Missouri’s chances of an SEC Tournament appearance are dependent on the results of several other contests this weekend, as a handful of the teams are separated by only a few points.
“We’re not in yet. Nothing’s ever guaranteed in the SEC or in life,” Blitz said.
The Tigers will play their final regular season game on the road Thursday, Oct. 25 against Tennessee (11-2-2, 5-2-1).
_Edited by Bennett Durando | bdurando@themaneater.com_
