Lincoln to Lawrence: Soccer Set for Road Clashes with Nebraska and Kansas

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri soccer takes a Midwest road trip this week to the University of Nebraska and Kansas University. Mizzou will face NU on Thursday, Aug. 31, at 7:05 p.m. CT before going to Lawrence to challenge KU in the Border War on Sunday, Sept. 3. 
    The contest between the Huskers and Tigers will be streamed on Big Ten Plus, while the rivalry between MU and KU can be watched on Big 12 NOW on ESPN+. 

OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS

• The Tigers are tied for second in the Southeastern Conference, averaging 3.00 goals per game.
• Missouri scored seven total goals in back-to-back games (SEMO & Creighton), more than any other consecutive game total in the Golan era. 
• 2022 to 2023 Statistical Comparison: shot percentage 0.83 in 2022 to .150 in 2023, shots per game 14.4 in 2022 to 20.0 in 2023.

DEDICATED DEFENSE

• In Mizzou’s most recent game against Omaha, they held the Mavericks to a season-low four shots on goal. 
• The Tigers held SEMO to zero shots on goal, marking the first time the team has done so since Indiana State Sept. 4, 2001.
• Through three games in 2023, Missouri has allowed seven shots on goal from its opponents. 

THE SERIES: CORNHUSKERS

• Missouri holds an all-time 3-20 record against Nebraska.
• The Cornhuskers have bested the Tigers in the last five consecutive meetings. 
• Mizzou last topped NU on Oct. 25, 2009, in a 5-0 game in Columbia, Mo. 
• Additionally, the Tigers have never defeated Nebraska in Lincoln. 

SCOUTING NU

• Senior Eleanor Dale leads Nebraska with 10 points, which includes four goals in four games played. 
• In net, goalkeeper Sami Hauk has earned three wins this season and totaled 14 saves. 
• During last week’s action, Nebraska defeated Eastern Washington 6-0 in Cheney, followed by a 3-1 win over Gonzaga in Spokane. 

THE SERIES: JAYHAWKS

• The Border War record favors the Tigers, having gone 13-10-1 against the rival Jayhawks.  
• Mizzou has won the previous two matches in 2022 (2-1) and 2021 (1-0), both being played in Columbia, Mo. 
• Furthermore, Missouri has won six of the last seven games between the two teams. 
• The Sunday, Sept. 3 game will mark the Tigers’ first game in Lawrence, Kan., since the 2016 season. 

SCOUTING KU

• Leading KU on the field is redshirt senior Hallie Klanke, totaling seven points (three goals and two assists) through the first four games. 
• Melania Pasar has started all four games for the Jayhawks, averaging 0.54 goals against average and a .909 save percentage in 335 minutes of action. 
• In their most recent contest, Kansas topped Colorado College 6-0 with four different Jayhawks scoring (Childers, Klanke, Severns and Smith). 

TOP TIGERS
GOALS: Kylee Simmons (3)
ASSISTS: Elena Zuchowski (2)
POINTS: Kylee Simmons (6)
SAVES: Kate Phillips (5)

2022 REVIEW

• Mizzou finished the 2022 season with a 5-8-4 overall record and was 2-5-3 in SEC contests. The Tigers earned wins over No. 23 Auburn (1-0) on Sept. 16 and tied No. 21 Mississippi State (0-0) on Sept. 30. 
• Individually, Milena Fischer totaled seven points with two goals and three assists on the year. Kylee Simmons led the freshmen, earning six points with two goals and two assists. 
• In net, Bella Hollenbach made all 17 starts, 54 saves and held a 1.35 goals-against average. The backline starters totaled 5,573 minutes played: Grace Pettet (1,530), Rachel Kutella (1,492), Megan Oduyoye (1,288) and Bella Carrillo (1,263). Together, the unit led the team to three clean sheets. 

UP NEXT

• Missouri returns home to challenge Illinois in the Arch Rivalry on Thurs., Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. CT. Following the bragging rights game, the Tigers will travel to St. Louis for its game against Missouri State on Sun., Sept. 10, as part of the Mizzou to the Lou series. The match will start at 1 p.m. CT at World Wide Technology Soccer Park.