University of Missouri
Auburn
Soccer Set to Kickoff Conference Play Against No. 23 Auburn
9/15/2022 12:28:00 PM | Soccer
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The University of Missouri soccer team looks to bounce back after a tough road loss as it takes on No. 23 Auburn University Friday, Sept. 16. The Tigers welcome the ranked opponent to Walton Stadium for a 5 p.m. kickoff in their first game of conference action.
The Tigers (3-3-1) return home after falling to Illinois, 1-0, Sept. 8, in Champaign, Ill. to close out the non-conference schedule for 2022.
No. 23 Auburn (4-0-4) enter the match after beating UMass Lowell 4-1, Sept. 8, and tying Samford 1-1, Sept. 11.
NATION WIDE
Mizzou has been putting the pressure on the opposition this season, earning 7.43 corner kicks per game, a number that ranks 23rd in the nation and fourth in the Southeastern Conference. The Tigers most recently took six corners at Illinois, Sept. 8.
TOP TIGERS
Freshman Kylee Simmons led all players at Illinois, Sept. 8, with five shots in the contest, two on goal. Simmons tops the team with 21 shots and nine shots on goal.
Junior Grace Pettet has played every minute for the Tigers this season, totaling 630 minutes through non-conference play. Pettet registered a shot against the Illini and had a last-minute sliding effort at the goal line to prevent a two-goal deficit.
LAST TIME OUT
The Tigers started the game strong, registering the first three shots of the contest before Illinois found the back of the net first, making it 1-0. The Illini held the statistical advantage at halftime in shots (3-2), and shots on goal (2-1), while the Tigers took three corner kicks to the opponent's zero but were unable to capitalize.
Missouri started to push in the second half, with shots from freshmen Hannah Boughton and Kylee Simmons challenging the Illinois keeper but were unable to tie it up, giving Mizzou its first road loss of the season. The loss marks the first time the Tigers have been shut out since Oct. 24, 2021 against Kentucky.
ALL-TIME: AUBURN
Mizzou has an overall record of 4-3-1 against Auburn. Additionally, Missouri won the first three meetings between the two Tiger squads, two of which were in Auburn, Ala.
LAST MEETING: The Tigers
Mizzou is taking on Auburn for the first time since 2018, having last battled the Tigers Oct. 14, 2018, in a 1-0 loss.
It was a very evenly matched game as the two Tiger teams each had 13 shots, four shots on goal and committed 16 fouls apiece. Mizzou racked up eight shots in the second half and looked to be on the verge of a breakthrough. However, Auburn scored the game's only goal, getting a breakaway goal in the 69th minute to earn its 11th victory of the season and the 300th in head coach Karen Hoppe's career.
ALL-TIME: SEC
Mizzou soccer is in its 27th season of competition and has accumulated an overall record of 57-76-15 against Southeastern Conference teams. The Tigers have seen the most success versus Kentucky, holding a 9-3-1 record.
Moreover, since Missouri joined the SEC in 2012 it has totaled a record of 44-49-11 against league competition.
SEC OPENERS
Since joining the Southeastern Conference in 2012, the Tigers are 7-2-1 in conference opening games.
RANKED OPPOSITION
As it stands, Mizzou has three opponents on its 2022 schedule ranked by United Soccer Coaches. The Tigers played then-No. 1 North Carolina, Sept. 1, at home, with their next ranked opponent being No. 23 Auburn, Sept. 16, also at home. At the end of the season, Missouri takes on No. 5 South Carolina (Oct. 27) in Columbia, S.C.
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
For the remaining home games this season, Mizzou will honor a senior prior to each match. The ceremony will take place on the field 15 minutes before kickoff.
This week, the Tigers will honor McKenna Sheehan. Sheehan is from Cary, Ill., and has seen over 1,200 minutes in the goal as a Tiger over her collegiate career. McKenna has been a staple for this Mizzou team since the 2019 season, playing in 19 games and collecting six wins. She has recorded a pair of seven save games, including a shutout against Texas A&M where she faced 21 shots. McKenna is also an SEC Academic Honor Roll Award Winner.
SEC NETWORK GAMES
The Southeastern Conference announced its 2022 fall television schedule, including nationally televised games for Mizzou soccer. The contests against Kansas (Sept. 4), Florida (Oct. 9) and Kentucky (Oct. 20) have been designated for the SEC Network, while the remaining home games will be streamed on SEC Network+.
FOLLOWING THE TIGERS
The contest against No. 23 Auburn can be streamed on SEC Network+. Fans can also follow along on live stats, found on MUTigers.com, or on Twitter by following @MizzouSoccer.
UP NEXT
Mizzou soccer returns to the road, taking on LSU in Baton Rouge, La. Thursday, Sept. 22, before returning home to play Vanderbilt, Sept. 25. The Kick times for the two matches are 6 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.
Visit MUTigers.com for the latest information on all things Mizzou Soccer. You can also find the Tigers on social media by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter and Instagram.
