University of Missouri
Florida
Mizzou Soccer Routs Florida to End Regular Season, 5-2
11/8/2020 5:02:00 PM | Soccer
Cassidy Nurnberger and Bella Alessi pick up braces in win
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Soccer (3-2-2) ended the 2020 regular season with a resounding 5-2 win over Florida (1-6-1), Sunday afternoon at Walton Soccer Stadium.
With the victory, the Tigers have secured at least the sixth seed in the SEC Soccer Tournament and is guaranteed a first-round bye. Mizzou can still claim the fifth seed in the upcoming tournament depending on the result of Auburn's matchup with Texas A&M, Monday.
While Florida was able to start the scoring in the fourth minute, Mizzou responded resolutely with three first half goals – and an additional pair of scores in the second half – to seal the victory. Even with a late goal from Florida in the 76th minute, an own goal from the Gators and a duo of braces from seniors Bella Alessi and Cassidy Nurnberger would cement the Tiger victory, and give Mizzou its most goals scored in an SEC game since defeating Ole Miss 5-0 on Sept. 7, 2016.
TURNING POINT
While Florida jumped out to an early lead following a fourth minute steal and score, an erroneous header in their own box lead to a Gator own goal in the eighth minute to level the match at one goal apiece.
Minutes later, Bella Alessi would take matters into her own hands as she weaved her way through the Florida defense and curled in a nice finish in the 16th minute. Following the Alessi goal to give Mizzou the 2-1 lead, the Tigers would not give up their advantage. In the 30th minute, Cassidy Nurnberger sent in a ball that struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced down into the net to extend the lead and send Mizzou into the halftime break up 3-1.
The Tigers would go on to add two more goals in the second half of the high-scoring affair with Alessi and Nurnberger both picking up their second goals of the match. In the 62nd minute, junior forward Julissa Cisneros sent in a through ball into the box where Alessi curled in another score in a similar fashion to her first goal. To secure the victory, Nurnberger scored on a volley from freshman forward Hannah Joella's corner kick in the 70th minute. The outpouring of goals gave Alessi her second brace in the Black and Gold, and Nurnberger her first.
We were shook by this volley from @cassnurn_5 ??
— Mizzou Soccer (@MizzouSoccer) November 8, 2020
Nice pass, @HannahJoella12 ??#SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/gu8qKGhiGl
TOP TIGERS
- Bella Alessi and Cassidy Nurnberger both picked up braces in the 5-2 victory. Both now have three goals on the season to lead the Tigers.
- In just her third appearance as a Tiger, Hannah Joella recorded an assist on Nurnberger's final goal, adding a career-high 12 minutes.
- Julissa Cisneros had her second assist of the season on Alessi's second goal. Cisneros also shot six times with three of those landing on target.
- After entering the game for McKenna Sheehan, freshman goalkeeper Sophia Worth saw her first minutes of action as a Tiger while saving eight shots.
- The lone Tiger to play for all 90 minutes was redshirt senior Grace Kitts who played a crucial role in securing the victory.
Three best friends anyone could have ?????? pic.twitter.com/fHYia4l4hA
— Mizzou Soccer (@MizzouSoccer) November 8, 2020
QUOTABLE
- "We can celebrate until 12 o'clock tonight, then we head back to the best conference in the country," said Mizzou head coach Bryan Blitz. "(Today) was a byproduct of you get a C on your math test but you keep studying. I give credit to the players for not getting discouraged after that Tennessee loss and carrying through how they have."
Notes
- With the victory at Walton Soccer Stadium, it's the first time the Tigers have gone undefeated in conference play at home since joining the SEC, and the first time since a 5-0-0 season at home during the 2009 Big 12 season.
- Mizzou's five goals ties the most scored by the Tigers in SEC play and is the most since defeating Ole Miss 5-0 on Sept. 7, 2016.
- The five goals also stand as the most scored by an SEC team this season.
- Mizzou has now scored nine goals over its last two matches – the most since scoring 11 in the same span against Oklahoma State and Northern Iowa in 2009 (Sept. 25-27). It is also the most goals the Tigers have scored in back-to-back conference matches since scoring nine against Baylor and Texas Tech in 2002 (Oct. 4-6).
- The last time Mizzou had two players score braces in a conference match was a 6-0 win over Kansas on Oct. 31, 2008 – Mo Redmond and Alysha Bonnick both scored twice for the Tigers that day.
- Mizzou's 25 shots are the most in a match since sending in 32 against Kentucky in a 2-0 victory on Sept. 22, 2016.
- The Tigers' back-to-back winning margin of three goals is the best since defeating SEMO and Kansas City by four and three goals, respectively, in 2013. That has not happened in conference play for Mizzou since defeating Oklahoma State and Iowa State by four and three goals, respectively, in 2002.
- Sophia Worth's eight-save day is the most for a Tiger keeper since Peyton Bauman recorded 12 against Ole Miss on Sept. 20, 2019.
- The Tigers won on their third meeting against Florida, winning by the largest margin in any of those contests. The five goals today are also the most Mizzou has ever scored against the Gators.
- Mizzou will end the regular season on a four-game unbeaten streak while picking up eight points in the process. That stands as the best end to a regular season since ending the 2015 campaign on a five-game unbeaten streak, picking up 13 points.
Up Next
Mizzou will wait to determine its seeding for the SEC Soccer Tournament, in Orange Beach, Ala., Nov. 13-22. The Tigers are guaranteed to receive a first round bye, and they can finish no lower than sixth in the conference standings.
Mizzou will claim the fifth seed barring either a loss or draw from Auburn in tomorrow's match against Texas A&M. Regardless of the outcome, the Tigers will have a first-round bye and start their tournament run on Nov. 15.
For all the latest on Mizzou Soccer, stay tuned to www.MUTigers.com and follow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @MizzouSoccer.
