ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – The Mizzou soccer team recovered from a 3-1 deficit but No. 15 Florida prevailed in penalty kicks, 8-7 after a 3-3 game in the quarterfinals of the 2016 SEC Tournament in Orange Beach, Ala. The Tigers scored in the 61st and 61nd minutes to knot the score at 3-3 but could not convert potentially game-winning penalty kick by senior Melanie Donaldson (Florissant, Mo.) in the 86th minute to send the game to overtime.
In the penalty kick shootout, Mizzou made its first seven but missed its eighth, setting the stage for Florida to advance after making its eighth penalty.
The match officially went down as a tie, putting the Tigers' record to 11-6-2, while the Gators went to 13-4-1.
Missouri struck first in the match, as junior Jessica Johnson (Los Angeles, Calif.) got behind the Florida keeper to slot her fourth tally of the season in the third minute. Junior Allie Hess (Kearney, Mo.) found Johnson on her run for her third assist of the year.
The Gators responded with goals in the 14th and 23rd minutes to take a 2-1 advantage. Florida then scored less than two minutes into the second half for a 3-1 lead.
In the 61st minute, Donaldson touched the ball to her left foot and volleyed a perfectly placed ball to the lower left corner of the net for a 3-2 game. The goal was the third of the season for Donaldson.
Mizzou tallied the equalizer less than a minute later, when a pinpoint cross from senior Erin Webb (Castle Rock, Colo.) found the head of Johnson, who flicked the ball over the Gator keeper for her second goal of the match.
The Tigers proved the more aggressive side over the final 28 minutes of regulation and enjoyed a 9-5 edge in shots during the second half.
With less than five minutes remaining in regulation, freshman Sarah Luebbert was taken down in the box to set up a penalty kick. Donaldson stepped to the spot but her chance sailed right into the stomach of Florida's goalkeeper to keep the contest tied at 3-3.
Mizzou sophomore keeper Kelsey Dossey (Plainfield, Ind.) kept the game level in the final minute of the first overtime session with a diving glove save. Dossey made a career-high seven saves in the match.
The Tigers now wait until Monday, Nov. 7 to find out its NCAA Tournament fate.
