Oct. 20, 2002
Box Score
Columbia, Mo.-The Mizzou soccer team picks up their third 5-1 victory of the season defeating the Loyola Ramblers. The victory boosts the Tiger's season mark to 10-4-2 (4-2-1 in Big 12 play).
The Tigers opened the game pressuring Loyola from the kick off taking five shots in the first five minutes of play including two shots on goal requiring saves from Rambler keeper Erica Pedini. Missouri's "warm up" creating dangerous attempts to score set a precedent for aggressive play throughout the match.
Freshman Jennifer Nobis sent a parallel cross through the Loyola goal box that skimmed perilously close to scoring. She came back just seconds later taking a pass from forward Melissa Peabody to rip off another shot. The ball sliced past Pedini, but was disqualified as an official goal due to an offsides call.
Following their "limbering up" Missouri settled into a 30-minute scoring spree. Forward Adriene Davis was the first Tiger to put points on the board. Peabody sent a long ball over the Loyola defensive line. Davis beat out her mark and barrelled toward the Rambler goal pulling Pedini from the box. Davis expertly dribbled around the sliding keeper to walk the ball over the goal line.
After her previous thwarted attempts, Nobis continued to search for her first goal in the game. Keeping her aggressive rhythm rolling, the freshman finally found the net. Sophomore midfielder Shea Swoboda went up with a Rambler defender knocking a header down directly to Nobis' feet. Without hesitation the forward took her chance and slammed the Tigers second goal into the net.
Thanking Swoboda for her efforts, Nobis came back to help the midfielder score with just 20 seconds remaining in the first period. Center midfielder Angela Furin tapped a high ball down to Nobis. Nobis sent a quick flick central enabling Swoboda to shoot just outside the goal box.
Missouri's aggressive first half resulted in 6-of-10 Mizzou shots going to the net, including three goals. Meanwhile, the Tiger defensive staff kept the Ramblers to just three shots and two saves by MU goalkeeper Stephanie Krawczyk during the first period.
Following intermission the Ramblers hit the field determined to recoil from their 3-0 deficit. Just five minutes into the period their efforts paid off as Michelle Taylon scored Loyola's only goal of the match. Regina Nierzwicki took a powerful shot on the Mizzou goal, but Krawczyk made a diving save knocking the ball away. Taylon rushed the net flanked by Swoboda and Kim Hibbert. The two Tigers were unable to contain the Rambler as she reached the ball and scored the shot.
Despite the loss of a shutout victory, the Tigers refused to let Loyola's action go excused. Just three minutes later Missouri reaffirmed its dominance in the game with its fourth goal. Peabody collected a ball and beat out her marking defender before hitting a two-man wall. She quickly dished a parallel assist to Davis for a direct 15-yard scoring shot.
After giving out two assists in the game, it was finally Peabody's turn to capitalize in the net. Midfielder Amber Swinehart lobbed a pass to Peabody on the far side of the field. Peabody struggled with her marking defender, but managed to rip off the scoring shot as the two battled to the ground at the edge of the penalty box. The force was just enough to slide past Pedini and score the final goal of the game.
Overall, Missouri out shot Loyola 15-to-9, including a 9-to-5 shot on goal difference. Krawczyk picked up her third victory of the season making four saves and allowing one goal.
Mizzou continues Big 12 Conference play on the road next week with games against Texas A&M and Texas. The Tigers return home to play their final regular season game against Kansas on Fri., Nov. 2 at 7:00 p.m.
