Columbia News

The University of Missouri women's soccer team will start its 2025 season at home against South Dakota State on Thursday, August 14, at Audrey J. Walton Stadium. The match is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and will be available for streaming on SEC Network+.

This game marks the first meeting between Missouri and South Dakota State in program history. It is also the Tigers' fifth contest against a Summit League opponent, with Missouri holding a record of 2-1-1 in previous matchups.

Missouri enters its 30th season of competition this year. The Tigers have an all-time record of 18-9-2 in season openers and are undefeated in their last three. In home openers, the team holds a record of 23-5-1. According to the Southeastern Conference preseason poll, Missouri was picked to finish 15th by league coaches. Arkansas was chosen as the favorite to win the regular season, followed by Texas, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee.

South Dakota State concluded its 2024 campaign with a 15-5-2 overall record and a 5-2-1 mark in Summit League play. The Jackrabbits won the Summit League Tournament for the third time in four years last season and return six starters along with 13 newcomers for 2025. This will be only their second matchup against an SEC team; they previously lost to Georgia in 2012.

Missouri comes into official competition after playing Kansas State to a 1-1 draw in an exhibition match on August 6. Emily Derucki scored Missouri's only goal in that game during the 20th minute and finished with four shots, two on target. The Tigers led Kansas State in shots (11-8), saves (4-3), corner kicks (5-2), and possession percentage (56% to 44%).

Senior midfielder Keegan Good returns as Missouri's top scorer from last season with three goals. Eight players who recorded multiple points in single games last year also return: Brianna Buels, Bella Carrillo, Monica Brauner, Jessica Larson, Emily Derucki, Landis Canada, Keegan Good, and Olivia Chianelli. Junior goalkeeper Kate Phillips had two games with seven or more saves during the previous season.

Six Tigers—Buels, Canada, Derucki, Good, Morgan Meador and Mia Yang—were named to the SEC Soccer Preseason Watchlist for 2025. Good received her second selection while her teammates are first-time honorees.

Good balanced her athletic responsibilities with academic pursuits over the summer by playing for Rochester FC in the USL W League while interning at Mayo Clinic on Dr. Rafael Sierra’s orthopedic research team. She prepared for medical school entrance exams while continuing her studies and anchoring Mizzou’s midfield.

Head coach Stefanie Golan made two additions to her staff during the offseason: Renee Horton joins as associate head coach from West Georgia and Austen Parker comes from North Texas as goalkeeper coach. Horton brings experience from several programs including Georgia and USC; she has guided teams to NCAA Tournament appearances and conference titles. Parker arrives after coaching stints at Central Oklahoma and Southwestern Christian; he was previously an NAIA All-American player at Mid-America Christian.

Facility upgrades are underway at Audrey J. Walton Track & Field and Soccer Stadium following a major philanthropic gift from Audrey J. Walton announced earlier this year. The donation is among the largest ever received by Mizzou Athletics specifically for Olympic sports programs and supports improvements such as a new natural grass soccer field.

For further updates on Missouri women’s soccer throughout the season visit MUTigers.com or follow their social media channels.