Missouri shared the spoils on Sunday afternoon as the Tigers played No. 13 South Carolina to a 1-1 draw at Walton Stadium. The draw snapped a four-game losing streak for Missouri. 

South Carolina entered unbeaten in their last six matches and only conceded three goals during that stretch. The Gamecocks had won nine straight against the Tigers entering the matchup. 

South Carolina opened up the first half very strong as they deployed their 3-4-3 formation to dominate possession over the first 10 minutes of the game. This led to a chance from Micah Bryant from about 25 yards out, but in the end, it was a very comfortable save for Missouri goalkeeper Bella Hollenbach.

Missouri grew into the game as Forward Brianna Buels started to cause some issues with her speed down the right wing. A blast from Mizzou Forward Milena Fischer nearly broke the deadlock, but goalkeeper Heather Hinz climbed the ladder to deny her. Hinz also denied Kylee Simmons a few minutes later. The first half cooled off after those early chances, with Catherine Berry nearly converting a Mizzou turnover into a goal being the only solid chance before the break. 

Neither team gained control of the game immediately in the second half as they both searched for the first goal of the match. Gamecock forward Corinna Zullo finally opened the scoring in the 63rd minute with an athletic play to block an attempted goal line clearance from Missouri.

It looked as if Mia Yang would be able to deny the Gamecocks once again; however, Corinna Zullo got a foot to her goal-line clearance as she deflected it back into the Tiger goal to put South Carolina in front 1-0.

South Carolina’s speed became a more significant issue for the Tigers as the game settled in. Gamecock Forwards Reagan Schuback and Shae O’Rourke both had excellent chances from long balls over the top.

Missouri, however, began to wrestle back control of the match after the South Carolina goal. In the 77th minute, a Leah Selm corner skipped off several heads and found its way to the back post, where Scarlett Thomas was patiently waiting to bury it in the roof of the net. The equalizing goal was the first of her career, tying the match at 1-1.

Neither team seemed content with a draw as both teams pushed hard for a winner; however, neither team could find one. Mizzou forward Jeanna Bartels managed a late shot that whistled over the bar, and Shea O’Rourke had a shot blocked by Tiger defender Grace Pettet.

The match ended at 1-1, with both teams splitting the points. It was a much-needed result for the Tigers against an excellent South Carolina team.

Missouri is still winless in their last five and will try to end the streak in Nashville against Vanderbilt next Friday. South Carolina will look to push their undefeated streak to eight as they host Ole Miss next Friday.