Tennessee soccer picked up a vital victory as it beat the struggling Missouri Tigers 3-2 on Thursday.
The Lady Vols (7-4-4, 2-3-3 SEC) traveled to Columbia in desperate need of a win against a struggling Missouri (5-6-3, 1-5-1) side.
The Lady Vols started the game without some familiar faces. Kate Runyon and Linette Hofmann were both out with injury.
The 2023 season has proved difficult for the Lady Vols as injuries have ravaged their squad. With eight players already out for the season, the depth of Tennessee’s team was tested.
The first half was a cagey affair with just eight shots between the SEC opponents.
Early on, Missouri found space behind the wingbacks of Tennessee, who were playing high up the field.
An early chance for the Tigers ended up being their best of the first half as Brianna Buels dashed in behind the Lady Vols’ back line. However, her cross, which might have been an attempted shot, failed to find a teammate and trickled wide.
The Tigers continued to find space on the flanks early in the first half, but they failed to create any more significant chances.
Tennessee was largely kept quiet by the Missouri defense throughout the first half. The Lady Vols, who average nearly 17 shots a game, were kept to just five first half shots.
However, the game was turned on its head in the 32nd minute when Sizzy Lawton found the back of the net to give the Lady Vols a 1-0 lead.
Lawton’s fifth goal of the season came after a Missouri defender failed to clear a cross, bringing a strong defensive performance from the Tigers to a halt. Tennessee had been growing in the game, and the goal only served to strengthen its performance.
Jordan Fusco was energetic and creative as ever, dominating the midfield and leading a late first half charge for the Lady Vols. Fusco and company created a few decent chances but failed to add to the lead as the first half came to a close.
The second half was the antithesis of the first as madness ensued throughout the latter 45 minutes. Just 22 seconds in, Lawton scored her second goal of the game and sixth of the year.
Lawton’s cross came at a difficult angle as the ball found its way over Tigers goalkeeper Bella Hollenbach in what was a fortunate second for the Lady Vols.
Leading 2-0, Tennessee continued to apply pressure, but it was Missouri that found the next goal just 10 minutes after the Lady Vols’ second. Tigers winger Buels found the back of the net from an awkward finish courtesy of a brilliant assist from SEC top scorer Kylee Simmons.
Momentum swung again just moments later as Macaira Midgley finished a sweeping Tennessee attack. Lawton’s dominant night continued as she used her pace and skill to open up space for herself before finding Midgley in the middle of the box.
Her strike at the 59th minute was her first goal of the season and put the Lady Vols up 3-1.
However, the Tigers were not deterred and clawed their way into the game once again. Simmons converted a penalty kick in the 64th minute, which was her SEC-leading 11th goal of the season.
The Lady Vols’ defense was resilient in the final 25 minutes, minimizing opportunities for a Missouri team in desperate need of an equalizer. Neither team was able to create any significant chances, and the Tigers’ comeback hopes faded.
The Lady Vols’ win proved to be enough to place themselves in the top 10 of the SEC. At the moment, it guarantees them an SEC tournament berth.
The Lady Vols will look to ride their momentum as they face Texas A&M at Regal Soccer Stadium on Sunday.
