An incredible defensive stand was all for not as Kentucky found the back of the net in the 89th minute off a penalty kick. Shania Spriggs tripped Mallory Glass as she entered the penalty box and head coach Troy Fabiano elected Gabrielle Poretto to take the kick. Poretto kept it low into the bottom left corner as goalkeeper Kate Phillips dove in the opposite direction.
With back-to-back conference losses, Mizzou soccer advances to 4-5-1 and 1-2 in SEC play. The Wildcats improved their all-time record
against the Tigers to 5-9-2 and sit at 8-4, 2-1 in SEC play with the narrow win.
Mizzou’s defense proved to be up for the task of stopping Kentucky’s potent offense for nearly 90 minutes. Coming into the match, the Wildcats ranked in the top 10 for goals, shot attempts and corners.
Surprisingly, the Tigers won the corner kicks battle 5-3.
As the match was still scoreless going into the final 10 minutes of play, the Wildcats had their best opportunity for a goal. A cross from Mimi Dominguez found Anna Sikorski with a wide open attacking lane. Phillips prepared for a shot, but a sudden burst of speed from Bri Buels trailing the play saved the potential winner from within the six-yard box.
Phillips was the immovable object to Kentucky’s unstoppable force of an offense until the tough penalty kick situation. Of her three first half saves, a diving effort in the 30th minute proved to be the flashiest.
Phillips’ final save of the first half came in the last 30 seconds to make the score knotted at 0-0 through the first 45. Purely from a statistical standpoint, the Wildcats outclassed the Tigers with 10 shots to four, but with a 30% on-goal rate.
Mizzou brought back its physical presence to the pitch we have become accustomed to seeing this season. After totaling nine fouls against Tennessee last match, the Tigers surpassed that total in the 55th minue against Kentucky. While physicality can be a good weapon for a team, it proved to be the Achille’s heal in this harsh defeat.
The players on head coach Stefanie Golan’s offensive scout of Kentucky had to be Alexis Tylenda and Sikorski , who have six goals apiece this season. Mizzou’s defense rose to the occasion, particularly in the second half. Sikorski and Tylenda combined for five shots in the opening half, but were held to zero shots in the final 45.
It is hard to stay positive after playing your heart out for 90% of the match and losing it in the last minute, but this was a good showing for the Tigers. The defense largely shut down one of the best offenses in the SEC, but they need more than five shots from their attack to truly compete.
With the one-game road trip complete, Mizzou will return to Audrey J. Walton Stadium for one match against the No. 12 Mississippi State Bulldogs. Golan’s squad will have plenty of time to prepare, as the match kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26.
