Potent Attack Leads Soccer to Season-Opening 4-0 Win Over SEMO

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri soccer team showed flashes of attacking brilliance in their season opener, battling their way to a 4-0 victory on Thursday, Aug. 17, against Southeast Missouri State (SEMO), at Audrey J. Walton Soccer Stadium. Mizzou used a potent offensive attack from start to finish, punishing the SEMO back line and tallying 25 shots, the most Tiger attempts on goal since Aug. 27, 2021, against Indiana State.

How It Happened

The Tigers (1-0-0) jumped out to an early lead thanks to freshmen duo Olivia Chianelli and Brianna Buels; Chianelli recorded her first collegiate goal on Buels’ first assist as a Tiger. 

It didn’t take long for the Tigers to strike again as freshman defender Shania Spriggs delivered a beautiful cross right on target allowing sophomore Kylee Simmons to capitalize and add to Missouri’s lead, making it 2-0 at the break.

Spriggs didn’t stop there as she increased the Tiger’s lead to 3-0, driving home the first goal of her career from the top of the box. Shortly after, sophomore midfielder Keegan Good capped off Missouri’s scoring efforts for the night, making it 4-0 with an unassisted goal.

Furthermore, a joint effort from goalkeepers Kate Phillips and Mia Collins held the Redhawks (0-1-0) scoreless after 90 minutes, while the defense did their part to hold SEMO to zero shots on goal. Moreover, this marked the first time Mizzou held an opponent to zero attempts since Sept. 4, 2001, against Indiana State.

Game Notes 

• Chianelli recorded her first collegiate goal on her first shot attempt 
• Chianelli was assisted by Buels, who logged her very first collegiate assists 
• Spriggs filled the box sheet, recording her first collegiate goal and assist. 
• Good put the Tigers up 4-0 with her first goal of the season. 
• Collins saw her first action on the soccer field as she was sidelined last year with an injury. 
• The Tandem duo of Collins and Phillips worked to secure Missouri’s first shutout win of the season
• Senior Hannah Joella and junior Jenna McCormick logged their first minutes since 2021, having missed last season due to injury. 
• Mizzou recorded 25 shots on goal, the most since Aug. 27, 2021, versus Indiana State. 
• The Tigers held their opponent to zero shots on goal for the first time since playing Indiana State Sept. 4, 2001. 

UP NEXT

The Tigers trek north to Omaha, Neb., for a non-conference battle on the road at Creighton on Sunday, Aug. 20. The opening kick from Morrison Stadium is set for 6 p.m. CT

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