URBANA-CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – A 79th-minute goal by senior midfielder Milena Fischer led University of Missouri soccer to a 1-1 draw with Illinois Thursday night at Demirjian Park.
Trailing by a goal, junior midfielder Jessica Larson sent a cross from the left side of the box that deflected off the Illinois goalkeeper and found the right foot of Fischer who deposited the ball into the back of the net.
The goal marked the second of the season for the senior.
The Tigers (1-1-1) were on the front foot early in the contest as junior forward Kylee Simmons fired a shot in the seventh minute that was pushed away by the Fighting Illini (2-0-1) goalkeeper with a diving stop. The ball bounced free for a moment before being corralled once as Simmons sought another attempt.
Moments later, Simmons elevated a shot towards the top of the net that was once again snagged by the Illinois keeper with a leaping save.
Emily Derucki claimed the next Tigers opportunity as the freshman received a pass from Larson who charged toward the center of the box. Larson struck a shot with her left foot that connected with the keepers’ chest and deflected away.
Illinois ramped up the offensive pressure in the second half, but several saves by redshirt junior goalkeeper Bella Hollenbach kept the game scoreless.
Searching for a breakthrough, freshman midfielder Landis Canada launched a shot from well outside the box in the 71st minute that narrowly cleared the crossbar.
Just moments after the attack by Canada, the Fighting Illini took a 1-0 advantage.
The hosts held the lead for less than six minutes before Larson connected with…
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