Dive into the Heart of Mizzou Athletics

RIP Mizzou Soccer undefeated streak: Sept. 26 – Oct. 3

After scoring points in two straight matches, Mizzou soccer (3-7-2, 1-3-1 SEC) came back down to earth in a 1-0 loss on the road to Tennessee (7-1-3, 2-0-2 SEC). But with the postseason well within striking distance, coach Stefanie Golan’s team has no time to dwell on the past.

Next on the schedule is two teams close in distance but far away in terms of success: Ole Miss (5-9, 0-5 SEC) and Mississippi State (10-1, 4-0 SEC).

After a week off I’m back for more soccer action, here to break down the loss to the Lady Vols and what to expect out of Missouri’s next two opponents.

Rocky Toppled

The Tigers fell on the road in Knoxville after an early Tennessee goal scored by Jaida Thomas in the 21st minute. The goal came after a corner kick, with Thomas heading the ball past goalie Kate Phillips and into the net.

The Lady Vols dominated the corner kick battle 8-1, constantly forcing the ball of Mizzou defenders to give themselves prime chances. But other than the corner kick discrepancy, it was quite the even match. Both teams finished with seven shots, with Mizzou leading the shots-on-goal battle 3-1. However all of these attempts were turned away by keeper Ally Zazzara.

The freshman led the offensive attack as Landis Canada, Emily Derucki and McKenna Moran combined for four shots with two of them coming on goal; both numbers accounted for over half of all Tiger chances.

This is not a performance to hang your head on, as Mizzou competed with a team that should be competing for one of the top four seeds in the SEC. To keep the game competitive and look nearly even shows continued improvement for this young roster.

Not-so-Hotty Toddy

The Tigers open this week with a matchup against an Ole Miss team that sits winless in SEC play, firmly in last halfway through conference play. After several close games things have started to spiral for the Rebels, losing by three to both Auburn and Texas A&M. The defense fell apart after allowing seven goals across both games.

However Mizzou can’t sleep on this team, as Ole Miss took down the Tigers in Oxford last season 2-1. After an early 1-0 lead for Mizzou, Rachel Kutella picked up a red card in the 21st minute; flipping the momentum and allowing the home team to take complete control with the advantage.

The goals were scored by Aubrey Mister and Kelly Brady, both of whom are back for the blue-and-red this season. Brady ranks second on the Rebels with three goals, trailing only behind freshman Kayla Keefer who has knocked home four. Brady and Keefer spark the Ole Miss offense, and should draw the eyes of everyone on the Tiger backline.

Bulldog Chokehold

After a matchup with the last place team in the SEC, Mizzou has to travel to the home of the FIRST place SEC team. Mississippi State is the last team in the conference without a tie or draw to their name in SEC play.

The now No. 4 Bulldogs recently toppled then-No. 1 Arkansas 1-0 to end their undefeated season. Mississippi State controlled the game from start to finish, outshooting the Razorbacks 15-5.

This marked their seventh straight shutout plus their 10th of the season. In fact the Bulldogs have only given up two goals all year, both of which came in their loss to Wake Forest. The defense has led the way all season, allowing only 25 shots on goal in 11 games. For reference the Bulldogs have scored 21 GOALS over that same time frame.

This defensive line is anchored by senior Rylie Combs, who has started every game while playing in 907 minutes thus far. Combs was voted to the 2024 SEC Preseason Watchlist and then the TopDrawerSoccer Team of the Week back on Sept. 23. Plus this will serve as a Homecoming for Combs, as the senior is from the St. Louis suburbs, playing for the club team St. Louis Scott Gallagher. There should be plenty of familiar faces for Combs in this matchup.

Player to Watch: Emily Derucki

Speaking of Scott-Gallagher, let’s talk about one of their youngest alumni. Derucki has continued to take a larger role on the pitch every game, as her and the rest of the freshman class continues to develop in year one. She led the offensive charge against Tennessee with two shots, one on goal. This offensive leadership was much needed, as Kylee Simmons missed the game in Knoxville.

With Simmons’ status undetermined for the week ahead, odds are the offensive charge will need to be done by committee. Derucki will likely be a huge part of that push, whether it be in the starting lineup or off the bench. Plus she is still looking for her first collegiate goal, and I’ve got a hunch that it could happen REAL soon.

Maybe it comes during their home match against Ole Miss at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10 at Audrey J. Walton Stadium.