The University of Missouri women's soccer team invites members of the media to join it for an interview session and a preview of the 2000 season at the annual Women's Soccer Media Day on Thurs., Aug. 17 at 3:15 p.m. Head Coach Bryan Blitz and key members of the Tiger program will be on hand to answer questions. Following the interview session, media members are also welcome to watch the Tigers in action during a practice beginning at 4:00 p.m. Both events will be held at Audrey J. Walton Soccer Complex.
Tigers in Action
The Tigers prepare to open the 2000 season with an exhibition game against Evansville Sat., Aug. 19 at 2:00 p.m. The game will be played at Audrey J. Walton Soccer Complex and is open to the public. For ticket information please call 1-800-CAT-PAWS.
Media Credentials
Members of the media wishing to obtain credentials for the 2000 Tiger season need to fax or email requests to Whitney Vernieuw, assistant director of media relations, at (573) 882-4720 or VernieuwW@Missouri.com. Credentials will be mailed out as soon as possible or will be left at will call unless other arrangements are made.
Tiger Talk
The MU Tigers enter the 2000 season looking to advance the strides of the 1999 season. Mizzou finished 14-8-1 with a 6-3-1 Big 12 record and a third-place conference finish. Adding to Missouri's most impressive season to date, the Tigers advanced to the NCAA first round where they lost to Marquette after four periods of sudden death overtime play.
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.
Leading 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).
Also adding clout to Mizzou's offensive struggle is junior Sarah Sallee. The forward missed much of the season after suffering a leg injury. She did, however, manage to score six goals and 17 points in only 14 games before being sidelined.
Assist specialist Amy Timmermann is also back on the field for Missouri. As a junior last season, she tied to lead the team with 10 assists. She looks to be a key factor in Mizzou's interchangeable midfield this season.
A seasoned defensive squad including six-foot star Becky Paulsen, junior Dyana Russell, captain Mandy Waters and sophomore Tamisha Ellis also backs the Tigers.
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.
A Quick Look at Evansville
The Purple Aces were 10-10-2 (4-0-1 MVC) last season and taking the Missouri Valley Conference title. Evansville made an NCAA Regional appearance falling to Dayton 3-2 in the first round.
The team returns seven starters and 15 letterwinners to this year's squad. Senior Tina Allwardt, the MVC Tournament MVP, bolsters the defensive lines
The Tigers are 0-2 against the Aces in series play.
Check out Bryan Blitz
Missouri Head Coach Bryan Blitz is in his fourth year of Mizzou soccer. Versed in the program startup business, Blitz has built the Tiger program over the last four years into a nationally recognized team.
Opening the 2000 season, Missouri was 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.
Blitz owns a 38-43-2 record at Missouri and an 83-87-10 career mark.