A look at the three Tigers charged with defending the net this fall
This is the first of four previews, each highlighting a different position.
Last season Mizzou soccer finished last in the SEC, but lost all their conference games by only one goal. Head coach Stefanie Golan’s team underwent a bevy of changes heading into this season.
One position that hangs relatively the same is the goalkeepers, with the top No. 1 and 2 returning plus a depth addition in the portal. Here’s a look at the three goalkeepers holding down the fort heading into next month.
(As I said in my WBB depth chart, these are not official rankings. Just the thoughts of some guy who knows some things about the team.)
Probable Starter: Bella Hollenbach (RS-JR)
2023 Stats: 13 Games Played, 1.62 GAA, 70% SV
Bella Hollenbach is Bach (get it?) for her third year in net. While her averages went down (very slightly), Bella was a key piece of the team last season and kept the Tigers within every game. With a lengthy 5-foot-11 athletic frame, Hollenbach has all the physical tools for an elite goaltender. After what we’ve already seen during her last two seasons, that elite jump sometime in the next two years doesn’t seem that far-fetched.
Her most recognized-success last season came after wins against Illinois and Missouri State, winning the SEC Defensive Player of the week after making nine saves and allowing only one goal.
⚽️WK4 | SEC Soccer Player of the Week
DEFENSIVE: Bella Hollenbach@MizzouSoccer x #SECSOC pic.twitter.com/P9zAGuEouj
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) September 11, 2023
Hollenbach has a flair for the dramatic, showing up in the biggest moments. In her highest save counts last season came against No. 7 Arkansas (7) and No. 13 South Carolina (6), while allowing only one goal in each matchup. In addition to her Defensive POTY honor Hollenbach was named to the All-SEC Freshman team two years ago, and will likely look to add to that accolade list here in the fall.
Previous injury concerns both in the fall and this Spring have kept Hollenbach out of games, but if healthy she will no doubt be the No. 1 option in net.
Kate Phillips (SO)
2023 Stats: 4 Games Played, 2.14 GAA, 57.9% SV
When Hollenbach missed the first four games, Kate Phillips stepped into the spotlight as a true freshman. And let me tell you, she did not disappoint. After an opening shutout against SEMO, Kate allowed a single goal for a huge road win against Creighton. The last two games were less than stellar, allowing a combined seven goals in a draw against Omaha and a loss to Nebraska. But I mean hey, it’s hard to expect a true freshman to be perfect out there.
After a summer with the Indy Eleven and competing against other D1 athletes in semi-pro competition, Phillips will likely be a key contributor if Hollenbach is hurt or needs a rest game, or can turn around momentum after early goals.
The play of the day
Kate Phillips on her all-important penalty kick save in today’s match: pic.twitter.com/jhLjStUJFT
— IndyElevenWomen (@IndyElevenWomen) July 6, 2024
Kassidy Roshong (JR)
As the only transfer playing a part this season, Kassidy was a big-time depth pickup for the Tigers this season. After losing Mia Collins to the transfer portal (and eventually Nevada), adding a third goalkeeper was crucial in case of injuries or any other unforeseen events.
Welcome to the family, @RoshongK
» https://t.co/wV42LXqFOq pic.twitter.com/0ZcLi6sUPo
— Mizzou Soccer (@MizzouSoccer) January 5, 2024
While Roshong didn’t start any games in her two years at West Virginia, she finished her prep career in Ohio with a state championship in her junior year and all-state honors as a senior. Fun tidbit: Kassidy is a journalism major (the Army grows!), which probably helped make the decision to come to Mizzou that much easier.
While Hollenbach obviously headlines the list in net, there are solid options up and down the roster. This goalkeeper trio has the talent to maybe not win every game for Mizzou, but give the Tigers a shot each and every night.