Missouri Travels to Texas Tech and Baylor
10/1/2002 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Oct. 1, 2002
Up this Week
The Missouri women's soccer team travels to Texas to face Big 12 Conference opponents Texas Tech and Baylor. The Tigers are listed to take-on the Red Raiders on Fri., Oct. 4 at 7:00 p.m., in Lubbock. Mizzou faces the Bears on Sun., Oct. 6 at 1:00 p.m., in Waco.
Before returning to its home venue, Missouri is also scheduled to play Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., on Fri., Oct. 11 at 7:00 p.m. The Tigers return home to Columbia for a three-game stanza beginning with Oklahoma State on Sun., Oct. 13 at 1:00 p.m.
Scouting Texas Tech
The Red Raiders are 2-8 on the year with a 0-2 record in the Big 12 Conference. Texas Tech opened league play with a 2-0 loss to Oklahoma State before falling to Oklahoma in a 4-0 contest. In their 10 games, the Raiders have scored just nine goals while giving up 21 to their opponents. Texas Tech owns victories over Colgate (2-1) and Syracuse (3-1).
Catie Arsenault ties to lead the Raiders with four points on the year. She has scored two goals. Also owning four points, Kerri Campbell and Roxanne Frilot both have one goal and two assists to top Texas Tech. Beth Lippert leads the goalkeeping squad playing 504 minutes in 2002. She has allowed 14 goals for a 2.50 goals against average. She has also made 34 saves on her way to a 1-5-0 season record.
Missouri leads the MU-TT series 4-3, including a 4-1 victory at their last meeting in 2001.
Scouting Baylor
Baylor is 6-4-0 on the year with a 0-2 record in the Big 12 Conference. The Bears opened league play with back-to-back losses to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. In their ten games, Baylor has outscored its opponents 2.15 goals per game to 1.46.
Kristin Ruef leads the Bears with nine points on the year. She has scored four goals and one assist, including two game-winning goals. A deadly shooter, Ruef has taken 20 of her 32 shots this season on goal for a 63 percent average. Tiffany Boshers is second on the team with seven points. She owns three goals and one assist. Goalkeeper Tanya Sena leads the Bears playing 678 minutes in the box. She has given up nine goals and owns a 1.19 goals against average. She has made 23 saves on her way to a 5-3-0 record.
In their last meeting, the Tigers defeated the Bears 5-2 in 2001. The victory bridged the MU-BU series that Baylor owns 5-3.
Fans wanting to catch all the action of the Missouri-Baylor game can review live stats by logging onto the Bear's official website at http://gobaylorbears.ocsn.com/livestats/w-soccer/index.html
Tiger Results
Mizzou is 5-3-2 starting the year playing five overtime games, including four double-overtime matches. Two of Missouri's losses this season have come after the regulation buzzer when the Tigers fell to Indiana State in double overtime (2-1) and succumbed to Mississippi (2-1) in an overtime period. Mizzou's third loss of the season was a 4-0 defeat at the hands of then No. 16 ranked Nebraska.
The Tigers own two victories and a tie against ranked opponents in 2002, including 2-1 double-overtime victories over then No. 23 ranked Illinois and Miami. Missouri also fought the Seminoles to a 2-2 standstill while FSU was ranked No. 10.
Missouri picked up its second tie of the year battling Colorado to a 2-2 mark. It is the first time the Tigers have recorded two ties in a single season, likewise, Mizzou's five overtime games in a season is also an MU program first. * All rankings are based on where a team was ranked prior to its match with MU.
Mizzou in the Rankings
The Tigers are currently ranked in the Soccer Buzz and NSCAA/adidas Central Region. Missouri's 5-3-2 mark berths the Tigers an ninth-place ranking by Soccer Buzz and a 10th-place nod from the NSCAA.
Tigers in the Big 12
Missouri is currently ranked seventh in the Big 12 Conference with a 0-1-1 league record. Oklahoma State leads the pack with a perfect 8-0-0 record, including a 2-0 mark in Big 12 play. Oklahoma is second also owning a 2-0 league record. Kansas and Nebraska both own 1-0-1 records during conference play and Texas and Texas A&M are 1-0-0.
The Tigers top the league with 61 saves to average 6.10 saves per outing. On the offensive, Missouri ranks fourth in the league averaging 17.4 shots per game. The Tigers are tied for eighth in overall points (46).
Defensive Dynamic
The key to Missouri's success this season has relied on the strength of the Mizzou defensive capabilities.
Despite the numbers on the box score showing Miami out shooting Missouri 26 to 10, the Tigers' 1-0 victory over the Hurricanes resulted in intense defensive pressure that forced Miami to take the majority of its shots from 20-yards out and consequently forced few difficult saves from goalkeeper Megan Duncan.
Likewise, the Tigers held Bowling Green to just one shot during the first 45 minutes of play. Returning to the second half, the MU defensive effort kept the Falcons to just two more shots in the game.
Make Note of Moore
Sophomore phenom Lacy Moore's roll as defensive specialist anchoring the Mizzou backfield has proven to be a quality move for the Tiger lineup. As one of the Tigers' most consistent players, Moore has played every minute of Mizzou's ten opening games, including four double-overtime contests and MU's overtime loss to Mississippi.
Starting the season off on a solid note, she was named to the Nike Tiger Invitational All-Tournament Team for her efforts against both Illinois and Indiana. Bringing the Tigers through a successful weekend at the Ohio State Invitational where Missouri picked up consecutive victories over Ohio State and Bowling Green, Moore was honored as an all-tournament team selection for the second time in 2002.
Hinting on Hibbert
Adding valuable support to the defensive effort, sophomore standard Kim has played valuable minutes in the Tigers' opening series providing continuity and fluid movement through the backfield. Hibbert's most dynamic playing feature is her energizing speed.
Using her skills, Hibbert successfully helped hold the entire Bowling Green Falcon starting lineup from taking a single shot during the game. In addition, Hibbert helped shutdown both the Falcon's all-time leading scorer Jill Conover and the Mid-Atlantic Conference Freshman of the Year Kristy Coppes.
The Goods on Gibbs
Joining the defensive ranks, sophomore Ashley Gibbs has also filled a starting position for the Tigers in 2002. After playing sporadically as a freshman last season while recovering from knee surgery, Gibbs jumped into Mizzou's lineup during spring play and quickly proved to be a valuable asset.
The defender put forth a thrilling effort against Miami leading the Hurricane shooting onslaught wayward from the Mizzou goal. She again came through for the Tigers against Ohio State and Bowling Green to help the Tigers claim the tournament title. Gibbs helped the Missouri defense thwart the Buckeye's scoring attempts. OSU's only goal in the game was scored on a direct penalty kick from a foul committed in the Mizzou goal box. Likewise, she also assisted the Tigers in keeping BGSU's forward lines to just three shots on goal. Gibbs was honored as an all-tournament team member for her efforts.
Filling a valuable role against Mississippi State, Gibbs earned her first team save of the year deflecting a secondary shot unreachable by goalkeeper Megan Duncan.
Considering Crossett
Senior Carrie Crossett has come in off the bench to make valuable contributions for the Tigers. Playing against Mississippi, the defender stepped in to rejuvenate Missouri's game and help send the Tigers into overtime play. The feisty player shadowed Ole Miss' leading scorer Kelly Renie allowing the forward just one shot on goal during the match.
Based upon her previous efforts, Crossett reemerged on the Mizzou starting lineup during conference action. She played quality defense against No. 16 ranked Nebraska and helped the Tigers hold Colorado to a 2-2 standstill.
Tiger Anchor
Goalkeeper Megan Duncan bolstered the Tigers through five overtime games to play 987 minutes in just ten games. She has allowed 15 goals to record a 1.37 goals against average and has made 60 saves on the year.
The mark puts her on top of Big 12 competition in overall saves with her closest conference competitor, Kansas' Meghan Miller, that comes in second with just 48 saves. Consequently however, she has played an average 60 minutes more during the 2002 season than other Big 12 goalkeepers.
Duncan also leads the league averaging 6.00 saves per game. She is also ranked sixth with two shutout victories and in goals against average.
The junior was honored as the Ohio State Invitational Defensive Most Valuable Player after leading the Tigers to a 2-0 record. In two games, Duncan made nine saves and allowed just one goal to help Mizzou to the invitational title. She also pulled out her second shutout victory in a 1-0 win over BGSU and was named to the all-tournament team.
Duncan earned Big 12 Player of the Week honors after helping the Tigers to the Florida State Classic title. In just two games, Duncan played 200 minutes, made 20 saves and allowed just two goals. Her 11 saves against Miami tops the Big 12 in single-game saves for the 2002 season. She also owns two games making nine saves against Florida State and Indiana.
Forward Force
The Missouri offensive effort continues to develop under the pressure of competition. In 10 games, the Tigers have recorded two shutout victories and claimed wins over two top-25 opponents. The combination of speed, skillful positioning and tactical play has set Mizzou's offensive style apart from the competition. Relying heavily on the speed and dexterity of the forward line, the continuity of the Tigers offensive efforts can only be increased throughout the season.
Dishing on Davis
Capturing the headlines, forward Adriene Davis returns as one of Mizzou's go-to players on the offensive line. Ranked third on the team with eight points on the year, Davis has scored two goals and is second on the team with four assists. Davis' latest performance brought the Tigers back from a 1-0 deficit against Colorado. She collected a ball, delivered to the center of the Colorado box by Missy Peabody, to score against the Buffaloes and tie the game 1-1.
Davis' scoring ingenuity looks to be a key factor for Mizzou's season as she also ranks sixth in the Big 12 Conference in assists and ranks seventh in assists per game.
In the record books, Davis ranks third in Missouri's career assist charts with 21.
Peabody Paradigms
Accentuating the forward ranks, Missy Peabody continues to stun the opposition with her electrifying speed and play making ability. The sophomore dished out her fifth assist on the year to lead the team and help Adriene Davis tie Colorado 1-1.
Peabody put in her third goal of the year against Mississippi State before turning around just a minute later to dish an assist to help Karen Bauer increase Missouri's lead. She came back against Mississippi to help Jennifer Nobis score Mizzou's only point and send the game into overtime.
Peabody leads the team with 11 points on the year scoring three goals and dishing out five assists. The sophomore also leads the Tigers' offensive thrust taking 51 shots, including 19 shots on goal. She also owns two game-winning goals.
The forward is tied with Nebraska's Christine Latham as the Big 12 Conference shot leader. Both athletes are averaging 5.10 shots per game. Peabody is also ranked fifth in the Big 12 in assists and ties for fourth in game-winning goals.
Swoboda Specs
Offensive reserve player Shea Swoboda has come in off the bench to provide rejuvenated efforts for the Tigers through out the beginning stanza. A hard-nosed forward, Swoboda came out strong against both Mississippi State and Mississippi. Her intensity paid off against the Bulldogs as the sophomore scored her second goal of the season unassisted. Always seeming to be in the right place at the right time, Swoboda successfully redirected a deflected ball with a header to put Missouri on the scoreboard.
Swoboda also boosted the Tigers to victories over OSU and BGSU, the forward put Mizzou on the board against the Buckeyes knocking down a header to give Mizzou a 1-0 lead going into half time intermission.
The forward is ranked fifth on the team with four overall points from two goals.
Assessing Swinehart
Freshman Amber Swinehart has started her Mizzou career solidly earning a starting position in just her first season. The forward has risen as the Tigers' second leading scorer putting in four goals to start her collegiate career.
Swinehart scored the game-tying goal against Illinois on a header following a Mizzou corner kick. She came around to deal another blow scoring Mizzou's second goal against then No. 10 ranked Florida State and was also a play maker in the Tigers' win over No. 23 Miami. Although Karen Bauer scored the game-winner on a penalty kick, Swinehart earned the PK attempt after being fouled inside the Hurricane goalbox.
The freshman didn't technically earn her third goal of the year until she lobbed a long ball from beyond 35 yards to skim the top net against Ohio State. As a follow up, Swinehart also dished out her first assist on her way to OSU Invitational all-tournament team honors helping Melissa Peabody with a game-winning assist against Bowling Green.
Swinehart scored her first goal in Big 12 Conference play tying the Tigers 2-2 against Colorado. Midfielder Suzy Probst slashed a ball through the Buffalo defense giving Swinehart the game-tying shot.
The scoring onslaught has ranked Swinehart ninth in the Big 12 Conference in goals. She also ranks second on the team shooting 67 percent on goal. She has taken 10 of her 15 shots on the year to the net.
Noting Nobis
Also playing valuable minutes on the Mizzou forward line, freshman Jennifer Nobis leads the newcomers with 20 shots, including eight shots on goal. The forward finally found the net against Mississippi scoring Mizzou's only goal against the Rebels. Positioned inside the box, she collected a well-placed flick from Melissa Peabody for the score.
After battling a stomach ailment that kept her from the Tigers' match with Florida State, Nobis returned for a sound performance against No. 23 ranked Miami. After a valiant offensive effort, Nobis was able to help the Missouri scoreboard dishing out an assist against Ohio State. The freshman used her incredible speed to dribble a ball from the half field where she was able to dish a pass to fellow forward Melissa McLellan. Although McLellan was unable to get a shot off, her one-touch lift enabled Shea Swoboda to score with a header.
Mizzou Midfielders
The Tigers' characteristic playing style of fast paced skillful ball movement centers upon the abilities of its half field line. Serving as the crux of both Mizzou's offensive and defensive capabilities, the Tiger midfield has diligently looked to improve its vision and touch. Playing a three-four-three formation, Missouri's talents and continued improvements look to be a key factor in the team's success this season.
Breaking Down Bauer
Aiding the Tigers' offensive calculations, sophomore Karen Bauer jumps in as one of Mizzou's most influential setup players. Dishing out her first assist of the season against Indiana, Bauer fills the dual role of both offensive threat and backup support. After a valiant defensive effort helping to spoil 26 Miami shot attempts, Bauer showed her scoring prowess scoring the Tigers' only goal against the Hurricanes on a penalty kick. She came back to score her second goal on the year against Mississippi State receiving an assist from Missy Peabody for a shot five-yards from the Bulldog goal box.
The marks rank her fourth on the team with five points, including one game-winning goal.
Harping on Heil
Sophomore Kristen Heil has assumed a starting role in the Tiger half field this season utilizing her speed and cut throat playing style to outmaneuver the opposition. A solid defensive player, Heil is capable of quickly making the swing transition from offensive threat to defensive hazard.
Showing her attacking mettle for the first time this season, Heil scored the game-winning goal in Missouri's 3-1 victory over Ohio State. After an unsuccessful Missouri shot struck the Buckeye's post, Heil was able to collect the rebound for a triumphant 12-yard goal.
Exploring Pusch
Midfielder Erica Pusch has joined the starting lineup as a freshman this year as well. Boosting the Tigers' exhilarating speed, Pusch has enhanced Missouri's consistency and poise. Named to the all-tournament team following two solid performances in the Nike Tiger Invitational, the freshman continues to elevate Mizzou's technicality.
Scoring her first collegiate goal against Illinois, Pusch put Mizzou over the top scoring the game-winner on a ball served by Missy Peabody. In addition to her game-winning shot, Pusch leads the Tigers with an.833 shot on goal percentage taking five of six shots on goal.
Pursuing Probst
Senior Suzy Probst once again fills in as one of the cornerstones of the Missouri program providing invaluable support in the half field. A continual presence, Probst's keen insight and vision serve as one of Missouri's most valuable assets improving fluid ball movement through the midfield.
The defensive specialist scored her first point of the season dishing an assist to help freshman Amber Swinehart score the game-tying goal against Colorado.
