Nebraska Still Too Much for Missouri
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
October 18, 1998
Missouri took steps today that greatly benefited the program, they lost to 12th ranked Nebraska by two. That's two less than 1997, and three less than in 1996. While there were no Nikki hat tricks, or Grimsley goals, Missouri still played at one of the highest, if not the highest, levels in school history. In a game where intensity was matched with intensity this game proved to be a battle for pride, and if, the outcome could be measured in that, this game would have been a tie. Tied because Nebraska showed their strength in their goal scorers. Tied because Missouri showed a team who had previously skated past them that they were no longer that team.
At the eight minute mark Missouri's Nikki Thole put one past the Cornhuskers. After a cross from Kate Dwyer, Thole beat two defenders to find the net for the Tigers lone goal. The Tigers had the lead until four and a half minutes later when Nebraska's Becky Preston penetrated the Missouri defense, and tied the game. Preston again aided the offense when she set up Lindsay Eddleman's game winning goal at the 28th minute mark. Securing their lead, Nebraska got their third goal late in the first half.
Although there were not any goals scored in the second half, there were some tackles that could have made Sportscenter highlights had it been Saturday afternoon. Instensity and frustration mounted when Missouri shut down the Cornhusker forwards. Missouri as well found themselves frustrated as each time they came close to scoring, they just couldn't.
"They are a better team than us. However, I think we played at a high level, and we are going to take that to Texas next weekend. I think that as a team we've shown growth-last year we played for a tie and this year we played for the win. I am very pleased with the way the team came ready to play," said Head Coach Bryan Blitz.
The Tigers are now 8-5-1, and 4-3 in conference.This is the best record ever posted by the Tigers. They travel to Texas next weekend to go head to head with the Aggies on Friday, and on Sunday they take on the Longhorns.
