Sept. 6, 2002
Tallahassee, Fla.-A beautiful day in the Florida panhandle turned ugly just before game time. A thunderstorm engulfed the field shortly before game time to hamper the first 20 minutes. The difficulty in the game's beginning served as foreshadowing of what was to come as Missouri played it's third consecutive double-overtime game on the year to a 2-2 standstill with the No. 10 ranked Florida State Seminoles.
Interestingly, Mizzou played its finest minutes of the first period during the downpour. Playing in its traditional three-four-three formation, Missouri's game rested on its standard hinge formation in the half field. Suzy Probst and Karen Bauer formed the nucleus of the Tigers' swinging zone balancing the game and helping Missouri to find rhythm early on.
Creating opportunities with precise passing, Mizzou was able to pummel the Seminole goal. Forwards Missy Peabody and Adriene Davis each launched shots at the FSU net, but were countered by consecutive saves by Florida State goalkeeper Kerri York. Despite the frenzied start and the recharging of the Missouri lineup, the Tigers' composure faltered periodically. One weakness was what the Seminoles needed however, as FSU scored the first goal of the game on a masterfully strategic cross/header combination in the 27th minute to take the lead 1-0. The deficit recharged Missouri's efforts, but the Tigers were unable to regain composure before the half-time buzzer and exited the half on the down side.
While the weather calmed during the second half, the intensity of the match reached tumultuous levels. Illuminated by brief streaks of lightning in the distance, the ferocity of the Tigers' efforts flared. From the start of the second period, Mizzou set its efforts into rebalancing the field. Just minutes inside the half, Peabody and Davis produced a little lightning of their own with a close range shots inside the box. Although their efforts were thwarted by York, the Tiger shots set the mood for Missouri's renewed charge.
The continued pressure from the Tigers' offense persistently struck at the Seminole goal finally culminating in success. Four minutes into the period Peabody and Davis combined to tie the score and even out the game.
After an intensified offensive thrust, the Tigers were finally able to capitalize on the scoreboard. Peabody sent a pass through the Seminole defensive line and lured York from the goal box. Freshman Amber Swinehart used the opportunity to score her second goal of the year.
FSU retaliated with another goal in the 78th minute. Predicated by four missed attempts, including a deflected save by Missouri goalkeeper Megan Duncan, the Seminoles managed to slip a hat trick past the Mizzou goal line. The confusion of four consecutive shots allowed FSU's Jez Ratliff a back door tap Duncan was unable to hurriedly regroup and save. Neither team was then able to claim victory in the remaining 12 minutes of regulation play and the game was sent into overtime-Missouri's third consecutive overtime match. Yet despite their experience in overtime play, the Tigers were unable to claim victory in the first 10-minute sudden death extension and were forced into their third double-overtime game.
Following 110 minutes of frenzied play, the Tigers rounded out their season record with singles across the board owning one win, one loss and a tie in 2002. The evenly matched game resulted in 23 Missouri and 21 Florida State shots, with both teams taking 11 shots on goal. Likewise, both goalkeepers made nine saves and allowed two goals in the game. The match brings Duncan to 1-1-1 on the year, while York is now 1-0-2.
Up next, Missouri plays the University of Miami in it second game of the Florida State Classic on Sunday. The game is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. (ACT).