The Missouri Tigers soccer team travelled to Alabama to play the Auburn Tigers for their final game of the season.
Following last week’s impressive draw versus No.11 ranked South Carolina, Missouri were looking to end their season on a high note. Heading into today’s game, Missouri were 4-10-2 on the year and 1-7-1 in SEC play. Auburn came into the game today 5-5-6 overall and 1-3-5 in SEC play and needed a win to secure their spot in the SEC tournament, so the stakes were high for Auburn.
Both teams have failed to claim victory since September, with Missouri losing six games and drawing one, and Auburn drawing four times and losing three. The Auburn Tigers have one of the most high-powered offenses in the SEC, being top three in both shots and shots on target, but they have only managed to score 26 goals this season. The offensive firepower looked to be something that Missouri would have to look out for, especially with redshirt sophomore Riley Wilkerson making just her second start of the season in goal.
The game started slow, with both teams struggling to maintain possession and generate offense. Auburn was able to earn a couple of early corners and get some shots off that tested the Missouri defence. Then in the 20th minute, a through ball from Taylor Chism found Dylan Driver, beating three defenders to open up the scoring for Auburn. Driver dribbled through three defenders and cut back across Wilkerson to score her second goal of the season.
A few minutes later in the 26th minute there was a video review for a potential penalty after the ball made contact with Missouri’s Callaway Combs arm in the box. Following the review the referee determined it was incidental contact and there would be no penalty awarded, in what could have been a monumental moment in the game.
Auburn dominated the first half, notching nine shots, four of which were on goal, and earned five corners. The offensive firepower was too much for Missouri to handle and it was looking like a blowout was brewing as Auburn led 1-0 heading into the second half.
The second half started how the first half ended, with Auburn on the attack. Wilkerson made some spectacular diving saves as Auburn kept the pressure on.
In the 77th minute, Auburn’s Hayden Colson received a yellow card for a hard foul on Brianna Buels. Shortly after in the 83rd minute Missouri capitalized on a corner kick and senior Hailey Chambliss scored the equalizer to tie the game 1-1in her final game as a Tiger.
The game ended in a 1-1 draw, as Auburn dominated for the entirety of the game but Missouri capitalized on their minimal opportunities. Auburn finished the game with 22 shots, 10 of which were on target, along with 10 corners. Missouri only managed six shots, three of which were on goal, but it didn’t matter because they converted when it mattered most.
It was a solid end to the season for Missouri, as they finished with two solid draws against good opponents. There are things to improve heading into next season, specifically the offense, but there are also positives to take from this season. Things like how good both Kate Phillips and now Riley Wilkerson, who had nine saves against Auburn, have looked this season.
The Missouri Tigers end their season with a 4-10-3 record overall and a 1-7-2 record in SEC play, as they head into the offseason now having failed to make the SEC tournament for the fifth year in a row.