For the third time this season, the woodwork got the better of the Tigers. Missouri hit the frame of the goal multiple times in Springfield, dominated the run of play for long stretches, and still walked away empty-handed against Missouri State — a frustratingly familiar story for a team that has yet to find the finishing touch to match its territorial dominance.
After 85 minutes of stalemate, the Bears finally broke the tension. Senior forward Lillie Rasmussen tipped a finish just over Missouri keeper
Riley Wilkerson, giving Missouri State the lead with just under five minutes remaining.
The goal came after a Tiger onslaught for the majority of the second half — Mizzou outshot the Bears 6-2 after the break but couldn’t find a goal of its own. Countless close calls, including shots that rattled off the crossbar, made Missouri State’s late goal that much more heartbreaking for a Tigers team that had controlled much of the run of play.
It was a slow start in Springfield, with neither team creating serious threats early on. The Bears had a near-miss around the 15th minute, with a one-touch shot from 12 yards out going just wide. The two teams were even in the opening half, with both sides finishing with three shots apiece, though Mizzou held the edge on corners, 5-2.
Wilkerson recorded the match’s first save, denying a one-on-one opportunity after a through ball slipped past Missouri’s back line. Wilkerson sat out the Tigers’ home opener against SLU; head coach Stefanie Golan has said the competition for the starting keeper job between her and senior Kate Phillips is neck and neck, and the two have alternated between the posts through the first four games of the season. Both keepers have been bright spots this year, providing a steady backbone for an experienced defense despite the rotation.
At halftime, the teams were as even as it gets — neither had found the net, and both had totaled three shots. Wilkerson’s save remained the only on-target opportunity from either side as tension built heading into the final 45.
Coming out of the break, Missouri looked motivated to break the deadlock. Sustained pressure led to several corners in quick succession, including a header from senior Brianna Buels that deflected off the crossbar and back into play. Buels was forced off after 63 minutes, finishing with one shot on the afternoon.
That wasn’t the last time the Tigers rattled the frame. Freshman Rylie Morse struck the post from a free kick just outside the 18-yard box, forcing Missouri State keeper Kate Lewis to push the ball off the bar and make another save on the rebound. Still, nothing could separate the two sides.
The Tigers kept up the pressure, consistently getting shots off in the second half. Morse and junior Landis Canada shared the team lead with two shots apiece, with Canada’s final attempt — a shot saved by Lewis in the 88th minute — coming agonizingly close to snatching a late equalizer.
Despite the constant pressure and numerous close calls, Missouri was never able to find the back of the net. Missouri finished with a 9-5 edge in total shots, though the sides were even on shots on goal, 2-2. Wilkerson made two saves in the loss, while Lewis matched her at the other end to preserve the shutout for Missouri State. The Bears were whistled for eight fouls to Missouri’s six, and the Tigers won the corner battle 10-3. Missouri State’s Caroline Orf picked up a yellow card in the 13th minute for unsporting behavior.
With the loss, Mizzou falls to 1-2-1 on the season, dropping below .500. The Tigers get a chance to climb out of the hole when they return to Walton Stadium to take on Northern Illinois on Thursday, August 27th.
