By Teddy Maiorca

One goal was not nearly enough for Missouri in a bad 5-1 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday. The Tigers, who take pride in their physical style of play, found themselves stifled again and again by the tough defense of Georgia. 

“I own it as the head coach,” coach Bryan Blitz said after the game. “The SEC is the hardest conference in the country and that won’t change. We have to change.” 

The game was Missouri’s biggest loss since August 25, 2018. 

After an early goal from Georgia, Missouri immediately equalized to tie the game at one apiece. The Tigers then went on to give up four unanswered goals. 

“It’s frustrating because that’s one thing we pride ourselves on is outworking the other team and Georgia … just outworked us,” senior Sarah Luebbert said.

Although Missouri was only outshot 13-12 by Georgia, the shots on goal told a much clearer story. Missouri put the ball on net only twice in 12 attempts, while the Bulldogs had 11 shots on goal in 13 attempts. 

Missouri had a chance to knot the game at 2-2 early in the second half as Sarah Luebbert lined up to take a penalty kick, but the veteran was stuffed by Georgia keeper Emory Wegener. Instead of a momentum change in favor of the Tigers, Georgia scored two minutes later, taking away any life the Missouri team had left. 

Sarah Luebbert explained that the team needs a “short memory” with this game. 

“Obviously we’re learning lessons but we know we have seven more games so we still have a chance to turn it around. We have our eyes set on South Carolina,” Luebbert said. 

The keys for the Tigers are “showing up, showing out, working hard and being physical” Luebbert said.

Missouri will seek its first SEC win against South Carolina on Friday, while Georgia moves on to face Vanderbilt on Friday as well.

Edited by Emma Moloney | ehm3gd@mail.missouri.edu