CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Mizzou soccer team tallied three second half goals to propel the squad to a 3-1 win over Illinois in the 2017 season opener Friday night in Champaign, Illinois. The Tigers trailed 1-0 after the first 45 minutes but used goals in the 50th, 79th, and 83rd minutes to claim the win.
TURNING POINT
With the score knotted at 1-1 in the 79th minute, senior
Jessica Johnson (Los Angeles, California) one-timed a nine-yard shot that bounced off the right post and into the back of the net. Sophomore
Sarah Luebbert (Jefferson City, Missouri) earned the assist as she played the cross into Johnson.
KEY MOMENTS
After Illinois went up 1-0 at the end of the first half, the Tigers responded when freshman
Macy Trujillo (Kansas City, Missouri) chipped a 17-yard attempt over the Fighting Illini keeper in the 50th minute. Mizzou added its third and final tally off a set piece in the 83
rd minute. Sophomore
Peyton Joseph (Highlands Ranch, Colorado) drove a cross into the box that fell to redshirt sophomore
Madison Lewis. Lewis ripped a shot into the right netting to seal the victory.
QUOTABLES
"I was really proud of our team," Mizzou Head Coach
Bryan Blitz said. "We gave up a goal right before halftime but our team was really calm. I thought we had been playing well. We just talked about getting the first goal and getting that momentum. I thought our depth did a really great job tonight, along with our senior leaders. We wanted to use our width. That second and third goal came from width."
"I wasn't expecting [to score a goal]," freshman Macy Trujillo said. "I went into today's game wanting to leave it all on the field. The first goal uplifted everyone. Everyone was a little down but we weren't giving up Once we got one in we were able to put a few more in."
MIZZOU NOTES
- Jessica Johnson scored her fifth career game-winning goal. She is Mizzou's active points leader with 33 on 11 goals and 11 assists.
- Madison Lewis tallied her third goal of her Tiger career late in the second half.
- Mizzou's first goal of the match was Macy Trujillo's first career collegiate goal.
- The Tigers outshot the Fighting Illini, 18-9, including an 8-2 edge in shots on goal.
- Two freshmen, Trujillo and Mo Adesanmi, earned starts in the match.
- Redshirt senior Kristen Rivers and junior Kelsey Dossey split time in net for the Tigers. Dossey was credited with the win.
UP NEXT
The Tigers host Iowa State on Sunday, Aug. 20 at 4 p.m. to open their home schedule. The match is the Pooch at the Pitch event, where all dogs in attendance will receive a free Mizzou bandana. SEC Network will also broadcast the contest live.