Mizzou soccer hopes to close out non-conference slate strong
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Tiger soccer is hoping to shake off its slow start to the year.
Mizzou didn't start the year like it was hoping to, going 1-2-1 through the first four games. With SEC play right around the corner, the team is hoping to shake those habits early and find their stuff over the next three games.
"You know there's there's a lot of good but clearly, you know, the last two, we didn't find a way to put in the back of the net," Head coach Stefanie Golan said. "We gave up a PK, and gave up a goal on a set piece. We talk about set piece being things that win and losing games, and they've lost us a couple games here."
Despite the early struggles, the team has been able to maintain possession in many of these contests and have chances on net, but just haven't been able to convert when they needed to.
"Against Missouri State, we hit the crossbar three times, we earned ten corners in the game, we had plenty of opportunities to to put it away and we have to execute when it matters. And that's really what it comes down to right now," Golan said.
Even with the losing record, the team has an even goal differential through the first four contests, meaning they could be undefeated just as easily. The team's practices have emphasized taking advantage of the opportunities that they have, because there will be even less once conference play begins.
"It starts off with us winning 50/50 balls each time. That's one of the things that we're trying to focus on more is winning 50/50 balls," Forward Brianna Beuls said. "We're losing to team's 1-0, like we're right there on the line. So we just have to make sure that we're staying locked in, staying ready, and just not just going on the front foot at all times."
One of the brightest spots on the team in the first few matches has been at the back. The Tigers defense has only allowed three goals in the first four games, with the goalie pairing of Kate Phillips and Riley Wilkerson combining for 14 saves.
"[The defense] works their butts off every single game," Wilkerson said. "I think the center backs have started the season off well, we've had a lot of injuries and the outside backs and full backs. But I think McKenna's come in and done a great job. I mean, Devroaux is always solid, and so I think [it's] just getting more and more reps with each other and getting more comfortable."
With three games left in the non-conference schedule, Mizzou will look to iron out those final wrinkles so they are at their best when SEC play begins.
Up Next - The Tigers will host Northern Illinois at Walton Stadium on Thursday, August 27. First touch against the Huskies is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
