Missouri soccer finishes regular season with a 2-1 victory over Arkansas
By: Ben Brady, KCOU Sports
On a cold October night, the Missouri Tigers took on the Arkansas Razorbacks in their last regular season game before the SEC tournament. Goals from senior Taylor Grant and sophomore Lauren Selaiden propelled the Tigers to a 2-1 victory at Walton Stadium. The win improved the Tigers record to 11-5-3 overall and 6-4-1 in SEC play, while the Razorbacks fell to 8-6-1 and 4-4-3.
After both sides traded opportunities early in the first half, Grant gave Mizzou the 1-0 lead in the 28th minute. Senior Kaysie Clark found Grant, who dribbled to the top of the box and fired a shot 20 yards out that found the upper right corner of the net. It was Grant’s team-leading seventh goal of the season.
After the goal, Missouri would dominate the rest of the half firing three more shots at Arkansas goalkeeper Cameron Carter, but none would find the back of the net.
After a close miss on a header by Grant in the 50th minute, the Razorbacks would find the back of the net in the 55th minute to tie it at 1-1. Arkansas’ Alexandra Fischer sent a beautiful shot into the upper corner of the net for the equalizer.
The goal would give the Razorbacks momentum. They sent many shots at the net over the next five minutes, but the Mizzou defense would remain strong. The Tigers would respond in the 74th minute when freshman Savannah Trujillo lofted a corner into the box and Selaiden got her foot on the ball for a one-timer and it would trickle into the goal to give Mizzou the 2-1 lead.
It would be the game-winner for Mizzou, as they would outshoot the Razorbacks 17-13 and 5-3 in shots on goal.
The win clinched a fourth-place finish in the SEC for the Tigers. As the four seed, the Tigers will receive a first round bye in the 2014 SEC Tournament next week. They will face South Carolina on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m.