There aren’t really any curses. But if there are, I’m pretty sure the Mizzou soccer team (1-2-1) has had one for some time, and it was on full display in their 2-0 loss to St. Louis University (1-0-2) on Sunday, August 25.

Over the last three games, Mizzou has fired a plethora of shots at goalies, used creative set pieces, pure skill and various other strategies to break the barrier. But they have not been rewarded for those efforts, conceding just one goal in their final 270 minutes of play. That begs the question: Could there be a curse on the Tigers offense?

The Tigers started the game red hot, with several corners and shots on goal in the first 20 minutes. The home team was unable to score the early goal as Emily Puricelli fended off all possible attacks.

Mizzou had its best chance of the game in the 18th minute when Milena Fischer crossed the ball into the box to Kylee Simmons, who headed it toward the net. But the Bills’ luck paid off as the ball bounced off the crossbar and was saved by the Billiken defense.

The Billikens didn’t need any luck on their first goal, as Lucie Schwartz’s pass split two Tiger defenders and found Hannah Sawyer just outside the box. Sawyer broke the scoreless tie with a shot past goalie Bella Hollenbach’s outstretched left hand. This was the first time this season that Mizzou allowed a goal in the first half.

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After the first goal, St. Louis retreated in defense, dominated possession and continued to give Hollenbach chances. Emily Gaebe, who is one of the top 20 players in the NCAA, decided the game in the 82nd minute with a shot in the penalty box that flew past Hollenbach and into the bottom left corner.

Despite conceding two goals, Hollenbach played an extremely strong game, including a spectacular one-handed save towards the end of the first half.

After two corner kicks in the first 11 minutes, Mizzou didn’t get another corner kick until the 55th minute at the start of the second half. The Tigers earned three more corner kicks and had a total of 11 shots on goal, but it wasn’t enough to tie the game.

Mizzou hasn’t won a game without scoring first since a non-conference win over Creighton in August 2023.

Finishing was a problem for Mizzou all last year and that continues to be the case, with just three goals on 44 shots. Kylee Simmons is somehow still scoreless this year despite leading the team with four shots on goal. Although it is ironic that Simmons was not credited with a shot on goal for hitting the crossbar, as it was literally hit the goal.

With four minutes left, Simmons had another prime opportunity as she made her way into the box, but the shot went wide, leaving Kylee visibly frustrated.

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For those who don’t believe me about the curse, there have been several cases of tigers slipping on the grass for no apparent reason.

Another difference was in the fouls, as Mizzou committed seven compared to just three for the visitors. I wouldn’t say the Tigers were undisciplined, they just did their best to contain such a strong Billiken offense.

So far, Audrey J. Walton has not been a particularly friendly venue for the Tigers, who are 1-0-2 at home while being outscored 4-2.

Hopefully the Tigers will have time to investigate any possible curses before they next face ACC opponent Miami (FL) on Thursday, August 29 at 6 p.m.