Tigers get past losing streak, Tennessee with late momentum

October 15, 2019 | Sports,

By Logan Perrone
Mizzou’s 108th Homecoming weekend featured a Sunday soccer matinee, as the Missouri Tigers looked to end a 4-game losing streak against the Tennessee Volunteers. The Tigers were also looking to get their first win in conference play.
The first half was marked by strong defense from both teams, who kept the opposing offenses quiet. The Tigers mustered a mere two shots, while the Volunteers failed to take any of their own. Things quickly picked up in the second half, as both Tennessee and Missouri played aggressively to start. Mizzou had many opportunities to score, but was unsuccessful as Vols’ goalkeeper Charli Pogany blocked half of Mizzou’s twelve shots after the 45th minute
With under 10 minutes of regulation left, the pressure became too much for Tennessee, as Mizzou’s Julissa Cisneros broke the 0-0 tie in the 81st minute. Sarah Luebbert would quickly follow with a goal of her own in the 85th minute to seal the deal at 2-0.
“We just kept saying ‘Let’s keep going’” Cisneros said. “I think even Sarah said ‘whichever team can ride the wave better will end up victorious.’”
Mizzou dominated the second half, with 14 shots (eight on goal) compared to just six for Tennessee (one on goal). Pogany would finish the game with a total of six saves, a career high for the redshirt sophomore, while Mizzou’s McKenna Sheenan would make the one save on her lone opportunity.
The win was Mizzou’s first in nearly a month and finally got the Tigers in the win column for conference play. Prior to Sunday’s matchup, Mizzou had been 0-4-1 in conference play and had been outscored by opponents 12-5. With only a handful of matches left this season, the Tigers still have a fighting chance to sneak into the SEC tournament.
Missouri faces Kentucky on the road Friday at 6:30 p.m.
Edited by Emma Moloney | ehm3gd@mail.missouri.edu