The Crimson Tide’s streak of ties continues, as the team ended in a 1-1 deadlock against the Missouri Tigers on Thursday.
Alabama began the night with the first shot of the match in the fourth minute, coming from midfielder Nadia Ramadan and saved by Missouri goalie Kate Phillips. The Tigers responded with a shot of their own a minute later, an attempt from midfielder Milena Fischer that sailed over the net.
The Crimson Tide capitalized on the early momentum, playing aggressively in the first 15 minutes and taking seven shots while Missouri only had one. Even with such a disparity, the Tigers managed to strike first, with Fischer scoring a goal in the 25th minute to make the score 1-0.
In the 44th minute Alabama midfielder Melina Rebimbas nearly tied the game, narrowly missing the net and hitting the crossbar.
“We hit the crossbar, we hit the posts. We put together a lot of good chances, but they just weren’t falling for us tonight,” Rebimbas said.
The Crimson Tide ended the first half with 12 shots, four of which were on goal. Goalie Coralie Lallier saved two shots for Alabama. The Tigers only had four shots, three being on goal and one going in.
Missouri’s defense smothered the Alabama offense inside the box, causing players to miss passes throughout the half. The Crimson Tide struggled with the added pressure, leading to only a third of its shots being on goal
“The early goal obviously helped them because they could sit even deeper,” head coach Wes Hart said of Missouri’s defense.
Alabama began the second half spreading the Missouri defense out, which resulted in a free kick after a foul on Mizzou’s Callaway Combs in the 45th minute. Rebimbas took the shot, placing it in the top left corner of the net over Phillips’ hands and bringing the score to 1-1.
In the 81st minute, Missouri forward Brianna Buels led a fast break down the field followed closely by Alabama forward Kiley Kukan. Buels took the shot from the box, missing the bottom corner of the net.
As the final whistle blew, the score stood at 1-1. With that result, Alabama has tied its last three games, standing at an SEC record of 0-0-3.
“Soccer is a cruel game but a beautiful one,” Rebimbas said post-match.
“Obviously [we’re] discouraged with the result, only getting 1 point at home, we need to get 3 points at home. That’s what our goal is,” Hart said. “I don’t think it was for a lack of effort, I thought we played okay.”
The match was penalty-rich, with Missouri receiving three yellow cards, going to Jessica Larson, Mia Devrouax and Emily Derucki. The Tigers ended the match with 10 fouls. Alabama received two yellow cards, going to Leah Kunde and Maison Smith, and the team had 9 fouls by the time the final horn.
Alabama had two opportunities to score off free kicks but only capitalized on one.
The team now travels to Athens to play the Georgia Bulldogs on Sunday at 2 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
