With an all time series record of 0-0-1, the Tigers took on the Mavericks of Omaha for the second time ever Thursday night at home after a 3-1 victory over Creighton on Sunday. Coming into the game, the Tigers had an undefeated record of 2-0 while the Mavericks entered with a 1-0-1 record. 

Missouri has had a really strong start to begin this season but that was not at all reflected on the pitch. The Tigers’ slow start allowed for a quick goal in the seventh minute by the Mavs. Two back to back Corner Kicks allowed for Omaha’s midfielder Cece Behrens to take a hold of the opportunity and put the ball in the back of the net. Giving Omaha an early 1-0 lead. 

The Tigers would ramp up the pace after that first goal, as the freshman forward Brianna Buels would get a fast break opportunity and score, tying our game up at one in the twelfth minute. However in the twentieth minute the Mavericks got back on the attack and gained the lead putting the Tigers down, 2-1 before the half. Omaha’s senior forward Sophia Green put the team on her back to score that goal before halftime to really put the pressure on Missouri. 

No other goals would happen the rest of the half and the game got to a low point with not much action either after halftime. In the 65th Minute, Missouri’s freshman defender Mia Yang picked up her first yellow card of her career as a Tiger as well as the team’s first yellow card of the season. That yellow card lit a fire under the Tigers as five minutes later in the 70th minute, sophomore midfielder Elena Zuchowski would score the equalizer putting us at two goals a piece. 

Missouri would get one last chance to score the game winner in the 86th minute as Mavericks senior midfielder Emilie Erland would pick up a yellow card giving the Tigers a free kick. Unfortunately the Tigers could not convert on this opportunity and the game would end in a 2-2 draw. The draw moved the all-time record between the two teams to 0-0-2 and marks the Tigers best start to a season since 2019 when the team started out 6-0.

 Omaha heads back home to play Wyoming at 1 p.m. on Sunday. The Tigers next matchup is on the road at Nebraska next Thursday with a 7:05 p.m. kickoff. With only a few more games to play before SEC play begins, will the Tigers be able to overcome their slow starts and get back on track?