COLUMBIA, Mo. – Sophomore Sarah Luebbert (Jefferson City, Missouri) netted two goals but No. 21 Tennessee scored in the 86th and 94th minutes to pull out a 3-2 overtime win over the Mizzou soccer team Sunday afternoon at Walton Stadium. The Tigers led most of the match but the Volunteers capitalized late to steal the victory.
Missouri fell to 5-9-1 overall and 1-5 in Southeastern Conference action, while Tennessee improved to 12-1-1 and 4-1-1.
TURNING POINT
Tennessee was awarded a free kick a yard outside the box three minutes into the overtime session. Khadija Shaw slotted the shot into the lower left netting for the golden goal.
KEY MOMENTS
Luebbert game Mizzou a 1-0 advantage in the 25th minute following good ball movement in the box. Senior Jessica Johnson (Los Angeles, California) passed off to senior Kaitlyn Clark (Liberty, Missouri), who found Luebbert just inside the top of the box. The sophomore's 16-yard strike went into the upper right netting for a Tiger lead.
After Tennessee tied up the match in the 55th minute, Luebbert struck again only 1:12 later to put the Tigers page ahead. A Volunteer defender took Luebbert down in the box for a Mizzou penalty kick. Luebbert stepped up to the spot and beat the keeper to her right for a 2-1 Missouri lead in the 57th minute.
Redshirt senior keeper Kristen Rivers (Lawrenceville, Georgia) made a slew of diving saves to keep Mizzou on top in the second half. In the 86th minute, she dove to her right and made a one-handed save on a shot to the left post. Unfortunately, the ball came loose and a Tennessee's Erin Gilroy tapped in the visitor's equalizer with a little over four minutes remaining in regulation.
QUOTABLES
Mizzou Head Coach Bryan Blitz
"The end result was disappointing but I'm still proud of the effort our players gave. The SEC is tough and you can't give up second chances. The goal is to make it to Orange Beach (location of SEC Tournament) and that's still in play."
MIZZOU NOTES
- Sophomore Sarah Luebbert scored two goals in a game for the second time in her Tiger career. She also accomplished the feat against Vanderbilt on Oct. 4, 2016
- Luebbert is now tied for the team lead with 12 points on four goals and four assists
- Senior Kaitlyn Clark tallied her fourth assist of the year on Luebbert's first goal. She is now tied with Luebbert for most on the team
- Luebbert's penalty kick was the Mizzou's first PK the team was awarded all season
UP NEXT
The Tigers travel to Lexington, Kentucky, to face Kentucky on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 6 p.m. CT.
