Mizzou suffers shutout to kick off SEC play

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mizzou Soccer's SEC struggles that date back to the 2023 season carried over to this year's conference opener. The Tigers dropped Thursday night's contest with Texas A&M 1-0, extending their streak of games without an SEC win to 10 consecutive conference matchups.

Sophomore goalkeeper Kate Phillips was in the starting lineup for the first time this season, replacing Bella Hollenbach. Phillips held the Aggies off the scoreboard for the entire first half, finishing the match with seven saves.

Neither team found the back of the net for more than 60 minutes of action, but MU missed out on a few key scoring chances during that span. Milena Fischer delivered a shot that missed just wide of the net in the 32nd minute, and in the 48th minute, Kylee Simmons hit the top of the crossbar, ending another scoring opportunity.

However, Texas A&M connected for the difference-making goal less than 15 minutes later. In the 61st minute, Margo Matula won a battle at the net to sneak the match's lone goal by Phillips, giving the Aggies a 1-0 lead.

MU applied some pressure on the visitors in the final minutes, including a shot from Simmons that Texas A&M goalkeeper Sydney Fuller was just able to knock away, but Mizzou was unable to find the equalizer.

Collectively, the Aggies had double as many shots as the Tigers, finishing the contest with 18 of them, including eight on goal. Texas A&M also had more than triple as many corner kick opportunities than MU, recording 10 total.

Up next - Mizzou is hitting the road for Fayetteville to face No. 3 Arkansas. First touch is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 22 at 1 p.m.