COLUMBIA, Missouri – The University of Missouri football team struggled all year but fell 2-0 to No. 10 Memphis on Sunday night at Walton Stadium.
Despite several offensive chances for Mizzou (1:1), a goal by Memphis (2:0) shortly after halftime proved to be decisive in the game.
Missouri was in the lead early in the game when the forwards Kylee Simmons and Bella Carillo captured several possessions by charging near the Memphis goal.
In the seventh minute Milena Fischer sent a free kick into the box that found Simmons’ head, but a bounce was narrowly deflected by the Memphis goalkeeper, leaving the game scoreless.
Towards the end of the first half, both teams were still battling for possession, but possession remained largely in midfield and neither team was able to create a major scoring opportunity before the break.
In the 53rd minute, Memphis scored the first goal of the game when Momo Nakao dribbled at the top of the box and passed the ball to Ai Kitagawa, who put the ball into the top left corner of the net.
Nine minutes later, Memphis sent a cross to the left side of the box that found the right foot of an attacking player, but the Mizzou goalkeeper Bella Hollenbach went to the ground to fend off the quick blow and keep the visitors’ lead at one point.
Missouri narrowly missed the chance to equalize in the 75th minute when Fischer sent a free kick into the front left corner of the box. The ball landed on the head of Mia Yang and went just over the bar.
This was Mizzou’s last chance of the entire game as Memphis played a strong defensive strategy until the final whistle.
A Memphis attack in the final seconds gave the visitors another goal and thus established the final score.
Both teams combined for 14 shots, five of which were on goal. Simmons led Missouri with three shots of his own, while Hollenbach saved two.
Next
Missouri returns to action on Thursday at 7 p.m. when they face Illinois on the road for the first time this season. The contest can be streamed live on B1G+.
