Aug. 8, 2000
Missouri Soccer Release August 8, 2000 Contact: Whitney Vernieuw Phone: (573) 882-2531
The University of Missouri women's soccer team opens the 2000 season ranked 26th in the inaugural American Soccer Writers Pre-Season Poll. The Tigers fell one spot short of the Top-25, but came up with 45 votes to best conference rivals Baylor (33) and Texas (2).
The National Soccer Coaches Association of America tabbed Mizzou No. 4 in the central region in its pre-season rankings. Missouri came in 27th in NSCAA national predictions.
The MU Tigers enter the 2000 season ready to carry on the strides made during the previous year. Mizzou rounded out 1999 going 14-8-1 with a 6-3-1 Big 12 record and a third-place conference finish. Despite having its winningest season ever, the Tigers' 2000 highlight was advancing to the NCAA first round where they lost to Marquette after four periods of sudden death overtime play. Missouri's advancement into the contest is a true testament of how far the program has come in just five short years. And, with the return of key players and a solid coaching staff, the Tigers look to advance to the next level of championship play this season.
While Missouri lost eight seniors to graduation in 1999, the Tigers return a powerful combination of upper class experience and under class enthusiasm. Mizzou returns the core scoring brigade from last year's squad. The upper class corps boasts 39 of 1999's 61 goals and 111 of 171 points from last season.
Bolstering the Mizzou forward line is senior All-American Nikki Thole. The Tiger's offensive leader holds three Missouri records including all-time scorer (122 points), career goals leader (51) and all-time assists leader (21).
This season, the Tiger's schedule includes four Top-25 opponents in No. 5 Nebraska, No. 11 Texas A&M, No. 12 Wake Forest and No. 21 Michigan.
Missouri opens the 2000 season with an exhibition game against Evansville on Sat., Aug. 19 at 2:00 p.m. The Tigers open the regular season hosting Creighton on Fri., Aug. 25 at 4:00 p.m. Both games will be played in the Audrey J. Walton Soccer Complex. For ticket information please call 1-800- CAT PAWS or 844-PAWS.