Missouri soccer prevailed over Ole Miss, walking away with a commanding 5-0 victory. This marked the Tigers’ largest SEC win since joining the conference in 2012. 

Midfielder Milena Fischer, stepping in for sidelined forward Kylee Simmons, emerged as a standout performer, scoring a hat trick showcasing both skill and determination.

The action began early in the match, with Fischer making an immediate impact. In the 10th minute, she executed a perfectly timed through ball by threading the needle between two defenders. This play set herself up for a one-on-one with the Ole Miss goalie Shu Ohba. Fischer calmly slotted the ball into the net, giving Missouri an early lead and setting the tone for the match.

Despite the early advantage, the Tigers faced a scare when they fouled in the box, resulting in a penalty kick for Ole Miss in the 17th minute. Kelly Brady stepped up to take the shot for the Rebels, but Tigers’ goalkeeper Kate Phillips came through with a crucial diving save to the bottom right corner. Although Brady had a chance at the rebound, her second shot went high.

As the match progressed, the Tigers displayed a mix of offensive aggression and composure, though they occasionally overcommitted in defensive efforts. In the 40th minute, freshman forward Emily Derucki scored her first career goal from a free kick from outside the box, extending the lead to 2-0 by halftime.

The second half continued with Missouri’s momentum. Just two minutes in, midfielder Jessica Larson found the net. This marked a season milestone, as it was the first time the Tigers had scored three goals against a SEC opponent since Florida last season.

Fischer was far from finished, scoring again in the 50th minute with a precise first-time shot. She completed her hat trick with seven minutes remaining, curling a shot into the top corner of the goal. This score marked the first conference hat trick for the Tigers since 1996.

Throughout the match, Ole Miss attempted to find their footing, creating some chances in the box. However, Missouri’s defense, anchored by Phillips’ five saves in goal, held strong.

The Tigers look to carry this momentum into Starkville as they face No. 4 Mississippi State on Sunday, Oct. 13, at 6:30 p.m.

Edited by Michael Stamps | mstamps@themaneater.com

Copy edited by Emma Short | eshort@themaneater.com

Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com