SEC play kicked off for Mizzou soccer on Friday night against the defending SEC Tournament champion Texas Longhorns. The Tigers looked like a rejuvenated unit against the Longhorns en route to a 3-1 win, and improves Mizzou’s record to 4-3-1 (1-0 SEC).
Missouri shocked Texas in the 27th minute when a couple upperclassmen hooked up to take a 1-0 lead. Junior forward Bri Buels subbed in at the 26-minute mark and immediately made an impact with a cross into the box to senior midfielder Hailey Chambliss.
Returning from a one-match absence. Chambliss found junior midfielder Olivia Chianelli just outside the box, who drilled the ball into the bottom right of the net.
This year’s squad has much more bite than in seasons past. While the persistent fouling presents problems occasionally, resulting in multiple free kicks, it wears on opposing defenses.
Shots attempted and possession both actually went in Texas’s favor after the first half of play, but Mizzou held the lead. However, both of the Tigers’ shots were on goal; meanwhile, the Longhorns did not have a single shot on target of their five attempts.
Mizzou decided they wouldn’t just protect the lead, but extend it. In the 56th minute, senior forward Bella Carillo got a great ball down the left side of the field into the attacking third and crossed the ball to a crashing Buels for a 2-0 lead.
“The second goal, I busted my butt to get to the far post over there,” Buels said post-game. “I mean, it was really challenging, but I did it, and I got a good result out of it. So really proud of myself for that.”
The second half scoring began to pour in after Buels’ goal. Longhorn freshman forward Ava McDonald scored a goal in the 81st minute, getting her initial shot blocked, but got it back and made a strike into the top right of the net.
Sophomore forward Emily Derucki ensured the Tigers’ lead would be protected three minutes later when she scored her first goal of the season. For the second time on the night, Chambliss placed a perfect pass in the box, and this time it allowed Derucki to head the ball into the bottom left of the goal.
“Some really, really good goals,” Mizzou head coach Stefanie Golan said about the team’s ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
“What a time for Olivia to step up and get us started. Bri, I mean, she buried that thing. And then Emily, diving header. Who are you right now?”
Stats and Storylines
This was Mizzou’s first win against Texas since November 2008, improving its all-time record with the Longhorns to 5-14-2. The 2008 season ended in a Big 12 Tournament championship for the Tigers.
Sophomore midfielder Landis Canada was back in the lineup after not playing since the Missouri State match on Aug. 31. Per Golan, she was dealing with a soft tissue injury and didn’t want to take any risks heading into conference play.
With Chianelli and Buels’ goals, Mizzou now has five players leading the team with two goals apiece. Derucki’s goal was also long-awaited since she leads the team with 15 shots and seven shots on goal, but had not found the back of the net until Friday night.
The Tigers will maintain the comfort of home field going into their second match of SEC play. It will likely be Mizzou’s biggest test of the season, taking on No. 1 Tennessee at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18.
