Mizzou Soccer vs. Cincinnati Game Recap

August 30, 2019 | Sports,

By Cole Tussing
After multiple rain delays, Mizzou was able to come out of Walton field with a 2-1 victory over the Cincinnati Bearcats. The Tigers are now 3-0 on the year, and currently undefeated at home. In contrast, the Bearcats record drops to 1-2 and are currently on a 2-game losing streak. This has been the best start for Missouri since 2012, where the Tigers started off the year with 5 straight wins.
Coach Bryan Blitz for Missouri had this to say on their game plan: “They have a great coach. A great UC team. They gave us all we can handle. They outplayed us, every way, shape and form. So at halftime, we talked saying it wasn’t our best. You’re going to have to pick it up. I thought we went away from our strengths. UC had a good plan, ready for it, and we had to change at half. I’m proud they came back, but we can’t keep coming back from a goal down.”
And the change they needed, came true. Mizzou’s defense really showed in the 2nd half; the Bearcats shot attempts went from 5 in the first, to only 2 in the second half.
The first goal of the game was by the Bearcats, Han Tang scoring with 12:26 remaining in the first half. The Tigers were scoreless going into the locker room at halftime. Bella Alessi stepped up, and scored her first goals of her career, and both of the goals needed to grant the Tigers the win. The first one was assisted by Sarah Luebbert, with 16 minutes remaining in game, and the second was scored within the last 5 minutes.
“Bella came through for us. She has such an energy, will to win, and work ethic that you love to see in a player,” Blitz said.
Additionally, Caroline Lyman, the freshman defender from Clarendon Hills, IL left the Ohio State game early.
“She’s totally healthy. Just having freshman moments, she’ll be back,” Blitz commented.
Up next for Missouri is back at home against Xavier on Sunday.
Up next for Cincinnati is back home against Western Michigan.
Edited by Emma Moloney | ehm3gd@mail.missouri.edu