Soccer Falls Short Against No. 22 Georgia at Home

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri soccer team fell at home No. 22 Georgia 2-1 on Sunday, Sept. 24. Mizzou moves to 5-3-2 on the season and 1-2-0 in Southeastern Conference play, while Georgia is now 5-2-3.

How It Happened

In the first home match in conference play, Georgia was awarded a penalty kick in the eighth minute. The Bulldogs opened the scoring from that spot to take a 1-0 lead. Shortly after Georgia took the lead, the Bulldogs were on the attack as redshirt sophomore Bella Hollenbach made a big save but could not corral the rebound, as the Bulldogs were able to extend their lead to 2-0. As the Tigers tried to pull one back, junior Milena Fischer was fouled, and Mizzou was given a free kick. From 40 yards out, Fischer delivered a brilliant ball into the box and found sophomore Kylee Simmons, who was there to head it in to make it 2-1 in the 32nd minute.

Mizzou opened the second half on the attack, outshooting Georgia in the first 15 minutes, 3-0. In the 67th minute, the Tigers saw their best opportunity to equalize as sophomore Jessica Larson fired a shot in the block in the 59th minute but was stopped by the opposition keeper. Simmons stepped up for a free kick in the 67th minute and forced Georgia’s keeper to make a huge save to keep the Bulldogs in front 2-1. Missouri would fight until the final whistle, putting pressure on the Bulldog defense late in the match, but could not find the equalizer. 

Game Notes 

• Missouri’s program record against Georgia moves to 5-5-1 with the loss. 
• Fischer logged her second assist of the season and the tenth of her career on the Simmons’ goal.
• Simmons scored her ninth goal of the season, marking her fifth consecutive game with a goal. The sophomore needs two goals to enter the top 10 for goals in a season in Mizzou history. Furthermore, she can become the first Tiger since Julia Cisneros in 2019 to score 10+ goals in a season. 
• Hollenbach’s four saves mark the fourth time she has made four or more saves in a match this season.
• Missouri and Georgia drew even with eight shots, while the Bulldogs took five corners and the Tigers only two. 
• The game marks the third straight contest where Mizzou has been held to single-digit shot totals. 

Up Next 

 Mizzou is back home at Walton Stadium to welcome No. 11 Arkansas on Thursday, Sept. 28. The game will kick off at 6:00 p.m., and fans can stream the action live on SEC Network. 

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