Fans at Audrey J. Walton Stadium Saturday, Sept. 5, were treated to an exciting soccer match between Missouri and visiting Notre Dame. Missouri came into the match on a two-game win streak, while Notre Dame came into Columbia looking to stay undefeated and improve to 5-0-1.
The scoring started strong and fast as Missouri struck the first three minutes of the match. Freshmen Midfielder Milena Fischer scored her first goal of the season and gave the Tigers the early advantage. After Missouri defended off two Notre Dame corner kicks and Keeper Sophia Worth stopped a would-be Irish score, the Tigers went back on the offensive. Midfielder Cassidy Numberger scored and added to Missouri’s lead by scoring midway through the first half giving the Tigers a 2-0 advantage. The rest of the first half was a defensive clinic from Missouri as they held Notre Dame to 0-6 shots on goal and lead at half 2-0.
The second half for Missouri looked as if it may be a repeat of the first the Tigers came out aggressive taking three shots on the goal compared to Notre Dame’s one. But Notre Dame rebounded with a goal of their own from Midfielder Sammi Fisher, who scored after a rebounded free kick, cutting into Missouri’s lead 2-1. Missouri was holding strong, but Midfielder Korbin Albert scored and tied it up for Notre Dame at two apiece. For the ladder minutes of the half, neither team could capitalize on two shots fans were treated to an extra period of play.
In overtime, both teams had promising possessions but neither could capitalize and score. Just when it looked like the game would go into a shootout, Milena Fischer scored her second goal of the match and the win for Missouri. This was a big win for Missouri against a great opponent like Notre Dame. The Tigers’ defense looked great as they fended off seven corner kicks and held Notre Dame to two goals off of twenty-one shots. Milena Fischer had her coming-out party as both of her goals on the season came in this game. After this win, Missouri improved to 3-2 overall on the season and will look to adding to their three-game win streak when they travel to Greeley, Colorado for a matchup with Northern Colorado.