COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri soccer team enters week two of the 2022 season 1-1 after besting Southeast Missouri 1-0 Thursday, Aug. 18, and falling 2-1 to Ohio State Sunday, Aug. 21. The Tigers will stay at home Thursday, Aug. 25, and play Southern Illinois at Walton Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m. Mizzou then hits the road for the first time this season to take on Nebraska-Omaha Sunday, Aug. 28, at 3 p.m
SIU (0-1) lost its first game of 2022, 0-2, to Lindenwood, Aug. 18, and had its contest at Bellarmine postponed due to weather.
Meanwhile, Omaha (1-1) began its season similar to the Tigers. The Mavericks fell to Oklahoma State, 2-1, Aug. 18, but topped Lindenwood, 1-0, Aug. 21.
LAST TIME OUT
Mizzou opened the season at home with consecutive games at Walton Stadium and finished 1-1 in week one. The team totaled 13 shots on goal to the opposition’s 10 while redshirt freshman Bella Hollenbach tallied eight saves over the two contests.
Starting the season against SEMO, Aug. 18, it was sophomore Kylie Dobbs who netted the winner. Dobbs scored off her right foot in the 58th minute to seal the win for the Tigers.
Following the season-opening win, Mizzou welcomed Ohio State to Columbia, Aug. 21. Junior Grace Pettet scored the lone goal for Missouri as it fell 2-1 to OSU. Down 1-0 after the first half, Pettet evened the score with a header in the 70th minute. The Tigers were not able to hold off the Buckeyes, as they scored a game winner in the 80th minute.
A WEEKEND OF FIRSTS
In the two contests in the first week of the 2022 season, Mizzou saw a few players earn firsts. Sophomore Kylie Dobbs scored her first career goal, Aug. 18, against SEMO, while junior Rachel Kutella earned the helper for her first assist as a Tiger.
Junior Grace Pettet also earned her first career goal, coming by way of a header, off a pass from the sophomore Leah Selm.
IMMEDIATE IMPACT
The 2022 freshmen class is making an immediate impact this season. With 10 true freshmen on this year’s squad, six made appearances in the first two contests of the season, and four played over 100 minutes in the first weekend of action.
Hannah Boughton led the class, playing 143 minutes in her first two collegiate starts while recording two shots. Bella Carrillo (139), Keegan Good (124) and Jessica Larson (104) also totaled over 100 minutes and tallied four shots between the three of them.
FIRST TIME FOES
This week’s scheduled action is bringing two teams to Columbia, Mo. who have never competed against Mizzou in soccer in Southern Illinois and Nebraska-Omaha.
The Salukis are entering their fourth campaign, having had their inaugural season in 2019. Meanwhile, Omaha is entering its 24th season and is now crossing paths with the Tigers.
SEC PRESEASON WATCHLIST
Mizzou saw four representatives named to the 2022 SEC Soccer Preseason Watchlist. Junior Grace Pettetsophomore Milena Fischerredshirt freshman Bella Hollenbach and freshman Hannah Boughton earning a spot on the list marks the third consecutive season the Tigers have had four players receive the honor.
Fischer was named to the list in 2021, while the rest are making their first appearances. The list consists of 67 total student-athletes
LEADER OF THE PACK
Junior defender Grace Pettet was announced as team captain for the 2022 season Thursday, Aug. 18. Pettet, who was recently named to the Southeastern Conference Soccer Preseason Watchlist for 2022, played in all 17 games for the Tigers in 2021 and made 16 starts. As an integral piece of the defense, the junior assisted the backline in three shootouts over the season.
“Grace has grown a lot in the year that I have been with the program, both on the field and as a leader,” said Head Coach Stephanie Golan. “She does everything the right way with the right mentality, and she wants to win at a high level. Grace came in fit, technically sharp, competes in everything we do, and she has been super consistent. She has earned the right to wear the captain’s armband on the field for us, and we are excited about her continued growth.”
UP NEXT
The Tigers enjoy another homestand with consecutive big games at Walton Stadium. Mizzou is scheduled to play its first ranked opponent in No. 1 North Carolina Thursday, Sept. 1, at 12 pm The team will then turn around and play rival Kansas Sunday, Sept. 4, at 1 p.m
There will be a post-match tailgate after the game against the Tarheels, leading up to kickoff for the first football game of the season versus Louisiana Tech. The contest against The Jayhawks will be Alumni Day and Pups on the Pitch.
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