Missouri shuts out Northwestern
The Tigers soccer team won its first home game of the season Friday night 2-0 over Northwestern. A goal in each half vaulted Missouri over the Wildcats for their second win of the season.
The night belonged to senior midfielder Michelle Makasini, a transfer student from Louisiana State University playing in her first game with a new set of Tiger teammates. She scored the first goal for Missouri with just over thirteen minutes left in the first half and it proved to be the eventual game winner.
“I was so shocked that it went in,” said Makasini, who had a large crowd of family members watching her play her first game in black and gold.
Makasini subbed in during the first half, and within ten minutes, had her first goal as a Tiger. Makasini ended up playing 59 minutes and taking four shots, including two shots on goal.
After the game, she couldn’t stop complimenting her teammates and coaches.
“Everyone here is so supportive,” Makasini said. “It’s great to win with people who you’re close to.” Makasini’s teammates had nothing but great things to say about her as well.
“It’s amazing to see her get her first goal,” said senior forward Michelle Collins, who added the Tigers’ second goal, the 21st of her career, in the second half. “[Makasini]’s been working so hard, and once she got the hang of it all, she’s made an immediate impact.”
Collins’ goal came with ten and a half minutes left in the second half. Junior Alysha Bonnick corralled a long kick down the right sideline in a footrace, and when she got right near the goal, she passed it back to Collins for the easy score.
Coach Bryan Blitz was not happy with the start of the game, calling it an “ugly college game” in the first twenty minutes.
But he was very pleased with his team’s aggressive play and also with the play of Makasini.
“She was someone that came in and changed the game,” Blitz said.
Blitz’s Tigers played much better in the second half than in the first. They had many more scoring opportunities near the goal, and they capitalized on one of their five second half shots on goal.
Missouri played an aggressive style, recording 15 fouls on the night, nine of which came in the first half. The Tigers committed only ten fouls in last Friday’s win over Iowa.
The Tigers will welcome DePaul to Walton Stadium on Sunday afternoon as they look to improve to 3-0 on the season.
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