Missouri soccer had a weekend of highs and lows, beginning with an impressive 5-0 victory over Ole Miss followed by a tough 5-0 loss to No. 4 Mississippi State. Here are the three takeaways from these contrasting performances.

Offensive Discrepancy

In the win against Ole Miss, the Tigers showcased an explosive offensive display, highlighted by midfielder Milena Fischer’s hat trick. Fischer opened the scoring early, setting the tone for the match. The team capitalized on their chances with 18 total shots, nine of which were on target. Missouri looked calmer in their offensive possessions, scoring five goals — their largest Southeastern Conference win since joining the conference.

However, their match against Mississippi State revealed vulnerabilities in their offensive strategy. The Tigers struggled to maintain the same level of intensity they had in the game prior. They managed zero on goal off three shot attempts compared to the Bulldogs’ eight on goal off 20 shot attempts. The lack of offensive production underscored the need for consistency and better shot volume, particularly when facing elite opponents down the line.

Defensive Strengths and Weaknesses

Missouri’s defense was solid in the match against the Rebels, with goalkeeper Kate Phillips making five crucial saves to secure a clean sheet. The defensive backline effectively contained opposing attacking threats, only allowing five shots on goal.

Phillips and the Tiger defense kept the Bulldogs out of the net and looked promising at some points of the game, including when a Bulldog header hit the crossbar and fell into the center of the box at the 58th minute mark. Phillips made a diving save to her right to end the scoring opportunity. 

Despite the defensive efforts, Missouri allowed three goals in the second half due to the Bulldogs’ relentless pressure. The Tigers’ limited offensive production reflects a need for improved attacking strategies and a greater volume of shots.

Set Pieces and Overall Strategy

Missouri demonstrated effectiveness in set pieces against Ole Miss, creating multiple scoring opportunities. The team’s ability to earn and convert corners and open scoring opportunities the defense gave Missouri contributed to their offensive success.

In the match against Mississippi State, the Tigers failed to capitalize on set piece opportunities, limiting their chances to regroup and attack. This inconsistency in set piece execution emphasizes the need for improvement on the offensive half. 

With a mixed bag of results, the Tigers currently sit in a challenging position within the SEC rankings at No.12. With only a point separating Missouri from tied Tennessee and Alabama, they have to make the most out of their last three games to keep their playoff chances alive. 

Next up the Tigers have a home game at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18 against the Oklahoma Sooners.

Edited by Michael Stamps | mstamps@themaneater.com

Copyedited by Emma Harper and Natalie Kientzy | nkientzy@themaneater.com 

Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com