10 games. 10 opponents. 10/10 action.
They always say it just means more in the SEC. It’s time to see if that applies to soccer as well.
After a difficult non-conference schedule including three ranked matchups, Mizzou soccer sits with a record of 2-4-1. While things may seem dire entering conference play, there has been plenty of uncertainty surrounding SEC soccer. With major upsets and teams rising/falling in the rankings, the conference looks totally different compared to the preseason rankings (but I’ll give them to you anyways).
2024 SEC SOCCER PRESEASON POLL
@RazorbackSoccer tabbed as favorite to win the 2024 women’s soccer title, by vote of league coaches: https://t.co/YnrDSHVeMc#SECSOC pic.twitter.com/3zgVpdzycw
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) August 13, 2024
Here’s your guide to all 10 opponents the Tigers will take on across the next six weeks.
Texas A&M
2024 Record: 5-3
Last Meeting: T 1-1 (10/23/22)
Preseason SEC Ranking: 7th
Match Day: Sept. 19 (Home)
The Tigers will open SEC play with a date against the Texas A&M Aggies in Columbia after not playing one another last season. It was a successful 2023 for the Farmers, winning double-digit games and making it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, narrowly losing to eventual National Champs, Florida State.
Texas A&M is off to a strange start, taking care of business against lower-level opponents but have been able to break it up against upper-echelon opponents. One player who is leading the offensive charge is senior and Texas native MaKhiya McDonald. So far McDonald has accounted for two goals on the season, coming against Denver and TCU. She is one of five multi-goal scorers for the team, but is the only one with a shot percentage north of .300 (.333) and a shots on goal percentage higher than .600 (.833). The Tigers better not let Makhiya shoot, because she rarely misses.
Another look at @makhiyamc kicking off tonight’s lead ❗️#GigEm | pic.twitter.com/ddZOfPiMpk
— Texas A&M Soccer (@AggieSoccer) September 6, 2024
However, head coach Stefanie Golan has never been afraid of the Aggies. Since Golan took over Mizzou boasts a 1-0-1 record, including a 1-0 win at Audrey J.
Let’s see if this is a true mismatch or just a small sample size.
Arkansas
2024 Record: 5-0-1
Last Meeting: L 1-0 (9/28/23)
Preseason SEC Ranking: 1st
Match Day: Sept. 22 (Away)
If there’s a Death Star in the SEC, it comes in the shape of a Razorback. Arkansas finished as a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament last season but was unceremoniously outed in the second round. But the Razorbacks have come back with a vengeance, sitting at 5-0-1 through non-conference play, ranked as the No. 5 team in the nation and the preseason favorite to win the conference.
Arkansas boasts a deadly offense as they have scored 35 goals in six games, easily ranking first in D1. Leading the way is Gonzaga transfer Kate Doyle. The graduate student has already scored SEVEN goals on the year, finding the back of the net in every game thus far. This included a pair of goals against her old school when they came to Fayetteville.
KATE DOYLE HAS SCORED IN 6 STRAIGHT MATCHES pic.twitter.com/P1WqfjccBE
— Razorback Soccer (@RazorbackSoccer) September 8, 2024
The Razorbacks have been one of the most consistent SEC teams in recent memory, and the Tigers have been unable to solve them. Mizzou will hit the road looking for their first win in the series since 2014, and their first road win since 1996.
Alabama
2024 Record: 7-2
Last Meeting: L 2-1 (10/26/23)
Preseason SEC Ranking: 5th
Match Day: Sept. 26 (Away)
This marks the only time that the Tigers will have to play two straight road games this season, but boy is it another tough test. Similar to A&M, Alabama is coming off a double-digit win total in 2023, reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament before losing to North Carolina.
The Tide have rolled (get it?) through non-conference play, finishing the slate with seven wins including Power 4 Purdue.
Their offensive proficiency has been the story thus far, piling up 26 goals for an average of 2.89 per game. Junior Gianna Paul is the top scorer with seven early goals, including a span of five goals across three games.
55′ | GP makes it ✌️ for the Tide!#RollTide pic.twitter.com/C9em9epfbp
— Alabama Soccer (@AlabamaSoccer) September 14, 2024
Currently, the Tide hold a three-match winning streak in the series and have not dropped a game in The Yellowhammer State since 2015. Expect an uphill battle for the Tigers when they travel to Tuscaloosa.
Florida
2024 Record: 3-1-4
Last Meeting: W 3-2 (9/15/23)
Preseason SEC Ranking: T-13th
Match Day: Sept. 29 (Home)
Last year the Gators failed to earn decisive results, pulling out six ties across 17 matches. This indecisiveness cost Florida dearly, missing out on the SEC tournament by a couple points. Odds are if the Gators could have turned two losses into wins, they would have found a spot in Pensacola.
Florida’s 2024 record may spell out pi, but their schedule so far has been anything but. Despite only having one loss on the year, the Gators have struggled to put away opponents. Florida has four ties on the year, three of which coming against mid-major opponents.
One player the Tigers didn’t run into during their last meeting is freshmen Vera Blom. The Swedish freshman has led the offensive fire power for the Gators with three goals. She is ALSO extremely efficient, with those three goals coming on six shots on goal and eight total.
Lots to admire in this ⚽️ skill set display
Touch
Speed
Shot#GoGators | ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/yrqWpudc4M— Gators Soccer (@GatorsSoccer) September 13, 2024
Golan has the Gators number as well, winning all three matchups against the Gators, all by the score of 3-2. Now, getting Florida back at home is a big chance for the Tigers to take three points.
Tennessee
2024 Record: 5-1-1
Last Meeting: L 3-2 (10/19/23)
Preseason SEC Ranking: 8th
Match Day: Oct. 4 (Away)
The Volunteers are building off a strong 2023 season, reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament including an upset on the road against Xavier. Tennessee had a chance to move into the third round, but came up just short against top-15 Nebraska.
The Vols are well on their way to redemption. After a surprise loss on the road against Indiana, Tennessee has not lost nor conceded a goal since, including a top-ten win against Memphis at home to vault them to No. 23.
Defender Ally Brown has been integral to the team’s success, playing in all but 11 minutes for the team on the backline. While Brown has been a disruptor for opposing offenses, she has contributed in her own right with a goal during the win against Lipscomb.
52’| Ally Brown goal to put us a by 3
Lady Vols 3-0 Bisons
https://t.co/6nOtfYumvf pic.twitter.com/YsiNIe0uU6
— Tennessee Soccer (@Vol_Soccer) August 25, 2024
Golan has yet to beat Tennessee in her tenure, with an 0-3 record thus far. The last time Mizzou won this matchup was in Columbia in 2019 but have yet to win in Knoxville.
Ole Miss
2024 Record: 5-4 (Update)
Last Meeting: L 2-1 (10/5/23)
Preseason SEC Ranking: 15th
Match Day: Oct. 10 (Home)
Things weren’t too hot in Hotty Toddy land last season, as Ole Miss finished below .500 in SEC play. As a result, the Rebels missed both the SEC and NCAA Tournaments, failing to make the big dance for the second straight season.
It’s been an equally tough start to the 2024 season, as the team sits just above .500 with losses to mid-majors like UAB and Lipscomb. On the plus side the Rebels have done a great job at keeping games close, only losing to ranked Memphis and Michigan State by one goal.
The Ole Miss offense is orchestrated by freshman and Pennsylvania native Kayla Keefer. In her first year at the college level Keefer already leads the team with 10 points, coming off four goals and two assists. This offensive dominance was shown early and often, as the newcomer put up a HAT TRICK in her first ever game. Crazy stuff.
First Ole Miss freshman to record a hat trick since Channing Foster in 2017! pic.twitter.com/DuQLPRlawl
— Ole Miss Soccer (@OleMissSoccer) August 16, 2024
The two teams have split their matchups during Golan’s tenure, including a Tiger win in Columbia back during her first year in 2021. If Mizzou is serious about making the SEC Tournament this season, this game is a must-win against a similar opponent on home turf.
Mississippi State
2024 Record: 5-1 (Update)
Last Meeting: T 0-0 (9/30/22)
Preseason SEC Ranking: 6th
Match Day: Oct. 13 (Away)
Last season went almost as well as possible for the Bulldogs from Knoxville, reaching the semifinals of the SEC Tournament before reaching the third round of the NCAA Tournament. Mississippi State was one of only two SEC teams to reach the final 16 last year, alongside Georgia (Texas made it too but they weren’t cool enough to count yet).
The ladies from Starkville are off to another hot start, with their only loss coming in a tough road loss against Wake Forest. The key to success has been defense, as the Bulldogs have only allowed two goals all season. Both these goals came against the Demon Deacons (Wake Forest), meaning Mississippi State has pitched six shutouts through non-con. No wonder they enter SEC play as the No. 22 team in the country.
The mastermind behind those six shutouts is grad student goalkeeper Maddy Anderson. Last season Anderson qualified for the Second Team All-SEC and has not skipped a beat this year. She has conceded both goals this year, but has been wildly successful with a 0.3 goals allowed average plus a 0.882 save percentage.
2⃣8⃣ Career Shutouts By @MaddyAnd01.
2⃣3⃣ Average Shots Per Game.
0⃣7⃣ Different Goal Scorers This Season.3-0-0 for the Second Time in Program History.#HailState pic.twitter.com/zR7o34Esm8
— Mississippi State Soccer (@HailStateSOC) August 23, 2024
These two teams have only faced off once in the Golan area, ending in a 1-1 tie at Audrey J. back in 2022. Will be interesting to see who can take the W in Stef’s first trip to Stark Vegas.
Oklahoma
2024 Record: 7-1
Last Meeting: W 5-2 (10/16/11)
Preseason SEC Ranking: T-13th
Match Day: Oct. 18 (Home)
The Sooners enter the SEC after a down season, finishing below .500 and missing the NCAA Tournament. But hey they beat Texas in the regular season and Okie State in the Big 12 Tournament, that counts for something right?
Now to the shock of many Oklahoma has started their 2024 campaign red hot. The Norman natives tore through lower-level opponents, including an 8-0 drubbing of Missouri State at home. The Sooners are red hot, and as a result are receiving ONE singular vote in the United Soccer Coaches poll.
Senior Leonie Weber is the one leading the offensive charge with four goals and five assists thus far. She has a pair of four-point performances coming in wins against Florida International and Oral Roberts. Weber is a good scorer and even better passer, someone the Tigers will have to bottle up at the point of attack.
Leo Weber’s night so far ⤵️
⚽️ 1 goal
2 assists#BoomerSooner ☝️ pic.twitter.com/3qqqY0jYwm— Oklahoma Soccer (@OU_WSoccer) August 26, 2024
This will be the first meeting of these old rivals since 2011, back when both teams were still in the Big 12. Mizzou walked away with the win, back when the team was under the helm of Coach Blitz. While the Sooners appear to be ahead of schedule and better than people are giving them credit for (looking at you SEC coaches), the Tigers will likely need a favorable result in this home game.
Texas
2024 Record: 7-0-1
Last Meeting: L 2-1 (10/2/11)
Preseason SEC Ranking: 2nd
Match Day: Oct. 24 (Away)
Contrary to their rivals to the north, the Longhorns enter the SEC very much on an up year. Texas won the Big 12 championship after big time ranked wins against Texas Tech and BYU. They reached the third round of the NCAA Tournament before being trounced by the National Champion Seminoles.
The Longhorns haven’t skipped a beat in 2024, as one of five undefeated teams left in the conference while ranked No. 4 in the country. The team has taken care of business at home, boasting an impressive 6-0-1 on home turf.
The player leading the way offensively is senior midfielder Lexi Missimo. She has dominated opponents thus far with seven goals and three assists. Missimo is red hot entering conference play, with goals in each of her last four matches.
on the board early thanks to @MissimoLexi #HookEm | #RunWithTexas pic.twitter.com/Dq52FXPIN4
— Texas Soccer (@TexasSoccer) September 13, 2024
Similar to Oklahoma, the Tigers have yet to face this old Big 12 foe since 2011. However, Mizzou has not found success against the Longhorns from the Lonestar State, last winning all the way back in 2008. That win came in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament, as that still marks the only conference championship in Mizzou soccer history.
LSU
2024 Record: 5-2-1
Last Meeting: L 2-1 (9/22/22)
Preseason SEC Ranking: 10th
Match Day: Oct. 27 (Home)
Last but not least are the Bayou Bengals. LSU finished .500 last season, sneaking into both the SEC and NCAA tournaments respectively. They didn’t make it far in either, losing close battles in the first rounds of both.
It’s been a very mediocre start, as the Tigers sit well above .500 but have lost crucial matchups to Arizona State and UC Davis, allowing 4+ goals in both losses. But the offense has been just as deadly, racking up 21 goals for an average of 2.63.
Leading the scoring barrage is junior Ida Hermannsdottir. The Icelandic native is electric with her feet, racking up six goals but no assists during the non-con stretch. This includes four goals across her last three games thanks to a pair of braces.
Another night, another brace from Ida
ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/y2hctw7WGX
— LSU Soccer (@LSUSoccer) September 13, 2024
This will be the team’s first meeting since a battle in Baton Rouge back in 2022, with the home team emerging on top. This has been a hard matchup to win for Mizzou, losing the last four with their last win coming in Columbia back in 2018. But maybe the magic of Audrey J. Walton can carry the (home) Tigers to a win in the regular season finale.
What does it all mean?
The SEC slate was not kind to the Tigers last season. They finished comfortably last with four points after securing only one win and one tie. Mizzou was close to earning results throughout the slate, losing all eight of their matchups by a single goal.
But enough of close, it’s time for wins. The SEC Tournament should be the goal for Mizzou, as they accept the top 10 teams in the conference. But with 16 teams instead of 14, earning a spot to the dance becomes that much tougher.
Last year the magic number was 11 points, which usually comes in the form of three wins and two ties. This year will be more competitive, so I’d say the Tigers need to shoot for 12 to earn a shot at Pensacola. The best way to rack up points will be at home, where they face some solid teams but no world-beaters. If Mizzou is serious about making the SEC Tournament and getting back on track to NCAAs, 8-9 points during the games in Columbia are a must.
They will earn their first chance in their home match on Thursday against Texas A&M.