Oct. 30, 2002
Up this Week
The Mizzou women's soccer team finishes the 2002 regular season with a final match against the Kansas Jayhawks. The Tigers host KU on Fri., Nov. 1 at 7:00 p.m., in Audrey J. Walton Soccer Complex. Prior to the game a special presentation will be made honoring Mizzou's two graduating seniors Suzy Probst and Carrie Crossett.
The Tigers jump into the Big 12 Tournament the following week in San Antonio, Texas. The tournament is scheduled to begin play on Nov. 7 and extend thru Nov. 10. Missouri's seeding and playing times will be determined following the Kansas match on Friday night.
Radio Coverage
All 2002 Missouri home soccer games will be aired on KCOU-Radio 88.1 FM. Dan Hopkins brings all the action of the Tiger season home to fans. Internet broadcasts of each game are also available by logging onto the KCOU website at www.kcou.missouri.edu.
Scouting Kansas
The Jayhawks are currently tied with Missouri in Big 12 Conference rankings with a 4-4-1 record. Kansas owns an 11-5-2 mark in season play. Earning their conference mark, KU's four losses have come at the hands of No. 6 ranked Texas A&M (1-4), No. 3 Texas (1-3), Oklahoma (2-1) and Baylor (2-1). The Jayhawks tied No. 18 ranked Nebraska and took victories over Texas Tech (2-1), Oklahoma State (6-0), Iowa State (2-1) and Colorado (5-1).
Last season the Jayhawks advanced to their first Big 12 Tournament in the history of the Kansas program. The Tigers defeated KU in double overtime 2-1. Kansas finished the 2001 season with a 13-7 record going 7-3-0. Missouri leads the all-time MU-KU series 4-3.
Tiger Results
Mizzou is 10-6-2 heading into its final game of the year with a 4-4-1 Big 12 Conference mark. The Tigers enter the match on a two-game deficit dropping a pair of games top-10 opponents. The Tigers fell took No. 6 ranked Texas A&M on a 5-3 roller coaster ride and forced No. 3 ranked Texas into overtime before the Longhorns scored a sudden-victory goal to earn the 2-1 win.
The Tigers faced their opponents following a three-game win streak. Mizzou trampled Oklahoma State and Loyola in 5-1 victories and earned its third shutout of the year against Iowa State. Missouri's two conference losses have come at the hands of then No. 16 ranked Nebraska (4-0) and Oklahoma (2-0). The Tigers also tied Colorado 1-1. * 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 10-6-2 mark berths the Tigers a sixth-place ranking by Soccer Buzz and a seventh-place nod from the NSCAA. The marks are a step up from last week when Mizzou was ranked seventh by Soccer Buzz and eighth by the NSCAA.
Tigers in the Big 12
Missouri is currently tied for fifth in the Big 12 with a 4-4-1 with Kansas. Texas leads the pack with a perfect 9-0-0 record and Texas A&M sits in second-place owning a 8-0-1 mark. Nebraska is ranked third going 5-3-1 and Colorado slips into the fourth-place slot with a 4-3-2 tally.
In the stats column, the Tigers rank second in saves with 103 on the year to average 5.72 saves per outing. The Tigers are also topping the charts ranked third with 42 goals (2.33 gpg), 40 assists (2.22 apg) and 124 points (6.89 ppg). Missouri is also ranked fourth in overall shots taken with 303 on the year to average 16.83 shots per game.
During nine games of Big 12 Conference play, Missouri parallels its season rankings doubling as the third-place team in goals (23), assists (22) and points (68). The Tigers are also ranked fourth with 160 shots during Big 12 action.
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 opening games, including four double-overtime contests and MU's overtime losses to Mississippi and No. 3 ranked Texas. Serving as Mizzou's sweeper, she continues with her characteristic style of always being in the right place and the right time. Her cool confidence and hard-nosed aggression continually frustrates Mizzou's opposition.
In Mizzou's most recent overtime loss to Texas, Moore played an influential role as both a defensive powerhouse and in assisting Adriene Davis put in the game-tying goal. As Missouri's iron foot on the backfield, she launched a free kick inside the Texas goal box enabling Davis to head in a goal and tie the game.
Moore likewise showed her offensive mettle against Texas Tech scoring back-to-back goals to put Mizzou on the board. Using her 5-foot-9 height differential to her advantage, Moore knocked down an assist by Adriene Davis to score Missouri's fist goal. She came back just three minutes later to score in a similar fashion, thumping down a cross from Amber Swinehart to score the game-winner. She was honored as a Soccer Buzz Elite Player of the Week (Oct. 7-13).
The defender's scoring onslaught reaffirms her selection to the Nike Tiger Invitational All-Tournament Team commending 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 also honored as an all-tournament team selection for the second time in 2002.
The Goods on Gibbs
Joining the defensive ranks, sophomore Ashley Gibbs has filled a starting position for the Tigers in 2002. Her speed and intelligent play making has made her an integral element in Missouri's defensive strategy. Falling victim to a quad injury, Gibbs was sidelined during the Iowa State and Loyola but came back to play stoic minutes against two raked opponents in Texas A&M and Texas.
Showing her ability against Oklahoma, with just seconds to go in the first period, OU leading scorer Logan Womack barreled toward the Mizzou goal, hindered only by the one-on-one opposition of Gibbs. Womack seemed no match for the Tiger however, as Gibbs used a swift slide stop to strip the ball from Womack and regain possession for Mizzou.
Gibbs helped the Missouri defense thwart the Buckeye's scoring attempts where 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 and help the Tigers to the Ohio State Invitational title. 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 began the season come in off the bench to make indispensable contributions for the Tigers, but reaffirmed her role on the MU starting line against Mississippi. Playing against Ole Miss, the defender stepped in to rejuvenate Missouri's game and help send the Tigers into overtime play. The feisty player shadowed Mississippi's leading scorer Kelly Renie allowing the forward just one shot on goal during the match.
Based upon her previous efforts, Crossett has maintained her position in the Mizzou starting lineup during conference action. She sported quality defense against No. 16 ranked Nebraska and helped the Tigers hold Colorado to a 2-2 standstill. Crossett was a key factor in the Tigers' 5-1 victory over Texas Tech helping the Tigers keep the Red Raiders to just eight shots in the match.
Crossett was stalwart against Oklahoma. Defending OU's Becky Nelson and Krissy Dawson, the senior kept both players to just three shots in the match.
Hinting on Hibbert
Adding valuable support to the defensive effort, sophomore standard Kim Hibbert has played effective 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.
Playing a dual capacity as an offensive threat, Hibbert has made several appearances playing relief on Missouri's midfield and offensive lines. She has played an integral role during Gibbs absence.
Considering Krawczyk
Goalkeeper Stephanie Krawczyk has taken the reigns of the Missouri defensive effort stepping in as Mizzou's starting goalkeeper. After recuperating from a broken finger earlier in the season, she has broken into Big 12 Conference play with a 3-3 record.
In her first game of the season, Krawczyk and the Missouri defensive line played a stalwart game against Oklahoma. Opening the match, OU midfielder Lauren MacIver launched a powerful shot, but Krawczyk came through with her first heart stopping save of the year. Although she gave up two goals in the game, including a Sunday shot, the junior made four saves in her outing.
Krawczyk picked up her first shutout victory of the year making six saves to best Iowa State 3-0. She then came back to make four saves and help the Tigers to a 5-1 win over Loyola.
Overall, Krawczyk has made 34 saves in six games. She has allowed 11 goals in 545:18 minutes of play to own a 1.82 goals against average. In Big 12 Conference games, she is ranked fourth with a .750 saves percentage. She is also ranked fourth averaging 6.00 saves per match. Krawczyk ties for sixth with one shutout.
Dishing on Davis
Capturing the headlines, forward Adriene Davis was named Big 12 Player of the Week for the week of Oct. 28-Nov. 3 after scoring three goals and an assist against ranked opponents Texas A&M and Texas. Returning as one of Mizzou's go-to players on the offensive line, she leads the team with 28 points on the year. Davis has scored nine goals and leads the team with 10 assists.
The forward earned Big 12 honors against Texas A&M and Texas, scoring three game-tying goals. She put in Mizzou's first against Texas A&M with an assist by Missy Peabody. She came back to help freshman Jennifer Nobis again tie the Aggies 2-2 and tied the MU-TAMU game one final time scoring on a cornerkick assisted by Karen Bauer and Shea Swoboda. Against the Longhorns, Davis kept Missouri's hopes alive scoring the game-tying goal on an assist by Lacy Moore. The 5-foot-3 Davis beat out the competition winning a header inside the Texas box to score.
Davis opened the season with a five-game scoring rally win four goals and an assist to score nine points in five matches to tie the Missouri consecutive points record with Amy Timmermann. She repeated the feat also putting up points in her last five consecutive games. She owns four double scoring games with games scoring a pair of goals and two with a pair of assists.
Davis' scoring ingenuity has been a key factor for Mizzou's season. She ranks third in the Big 12 Conference in season points and assists and is tied for fourth in goals. She is averaging 1.56 points per game to rank fifth in the league overall. Standing up during league play, Davis leads the conference in points scored with 18. She is also tied for second scoring six goals in nine games to average .56 goals per outing. She is third in the league in assists averaging .67 per match.
Building up the Mizzou record books, Davis' 10 assists this season brings her to 27 career assists to rank her second in the all-time career charts. She is just two assists behind Mizzou's current career leader--Nikki Thole who owns 29 career assists.
Peabody Paradigms
Accentuating the forward ranks, Melissa Peabody continues to stun the opposition with her electrifying speed and play making ability. Peabody tied the Missouri single-season shot mark taking 93 shots during the 2002 season. Looking ahead to the MU-KU game and Big 12 Tournament play, the offensive phenom looks to break the record. In addition, she also owns 41 shots on goal which tops the team and is just 14 from Nikki Thole's record of 55 in a single-season.
Peabody dished out her ninth assist on the year helping Adriene Davis score the first game-tying goal against Texas A&M. The game preceded her latest scoring onslaught dishing out three assists and a goal to help the Tigers top Iowa State and Loyola. Peabody dished the game-winner to help Jennifer Nobis topple the Cyclones and helped Adriene Davis score her pair of goals against Loyola. The sophomore summed up the weekend scoring the Tigers' final goal against the Ramblers on an assist from freshman Amber Swinehart.
Peabody is second on the team with 27 points on the year scoring a team-high nine goals (tied with Davis). She is also second on the team with nine assists. She also owns four game-winning goals on the year to top the team and tie her previous single-season mark.
The forward leads the Big 12 Conference in shots taken averaging 5.17 shots per outing. She is also ranked fourth in points and ties for fourth in goals and assists. She is second in the conference in game-winning goals. Playing nine games in league play, Peabody tops the conference with 51 shots. She has scored points during Big 12 play to tie for sixth in the league. In addition, her five conference goals tie her in fifth-place in league standings. Her two game-winning goals during league play are tied for third in Big 12 standings.
Dynamic Duo
Playing off of their counterparts' ability, forwards Adriene Davis and Melissa Peabody stand out as one of the nation's strongest offensive pairs. During the 2002 season, Davis has assisted four of Peabody's nine goals while Peabody earned six of Davis' goals on assists. Together the pair makes up for 45 percent of the Tigers' overall scoring. Relying on each other, 66 percent of Davis' scoring ingenuity has hinged upon assists by Peabody, while 44 percent of Peabody's assists are dependent upon Davis.
Swoboda Specs
Offensive specialist Shea Swoboda has provided rejuvenated efforts for the Tigers through out the season. A hard-nosed forward, Swoboda came out strong against No. 6 ranked Texas A&M redirecting a corner kick from Karen Bauer enabling Adriene Davis to tie the game 3-3.
Although the Tigers failed to defeat the Aggies, Swoboda's efforts paid off in the Tigers' match against Loyola. Swoboda dished an assist and scored her third goal of the year on her way to helping Missouri to a 5-1 victory. She knocked down a header positioning Jennifer Nobis's game-winning goal at the tail end of the first half. The freshman came back helping Swoboda score with just 21 seconds remaining in the period.
Showing glimpses of her might earlier in the year against both Mississippi State and Mississippi, Swoboda's 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 sixth on the team with eight overall points from three goals and two assist. Adding to her offensive threat, Swoboda is shooting 64 percent on goal. In her last six games, she has supported a perfect shot on goal percentage taking six-of-six shots to the net.
Assessing Swinehart
Freshman Amber Swinehart has started her Mizzou career solidly earning a starting position in just her first season. Swinehart started the year as a standard on the Missouri forward line, but has also asserted herself playing a dual role in the MU halffield. Following the injury that sidelined Suzy Probst, Swinehart has pulled thru with indispensable play in the Mizzou midfield. Taking the reigns as one of the Tigers' offensive-defensive swing players, she has successfully helped develop Missouri's game.
Proving her offensive ability, Swinehart has risen as one of the Tigers' leading scorers putting in six goals, three assists and 15 points. She is ranked fourth on the team in points and goals. She also ranks third on the team shooting 57 percent on goal. She has taken 15 of her 26 shots on the year to the net-including perfect games against Texas Tech and Baylor making two-of-two. The freshman added to her season assist tally helping help Missy Peabody score in Missouri's 5-1 blaze against Loyola.
The feat came on the heels of a goal scored against Oklahoma State and assisting Lacy Moore score the game-winning goal against Texas Tech.
Noting Nobis
Freshman Jennifer Nobis rightfully earned Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honors for the week of Oct. 21-27. Going on a three game tear scoring five goals and an assist, including consecutive double-goal games, she jumped into third-place in the Tiger scoring column. Adding to her season tally against Texas A&M, the forward scored Missouri's second game-tying goal on an assist by Adriene Davis. The feat boosts Nobis to rank third on the team with 17 points and seven goals. She also owns three assists and two game-winning goals on the year.
Nobis stepped up during Big 12 Conference play to score two goals in a single game against Oklahoma State and came back to reproduce the feat against Iowa State. The freshman scored the game-winner on an assist by Missy Peabody and solidified the Tigers' 3-0 victory scoring unassisted just six minutes later. Nobis dribbled through the Cyclone defense to shoot just inside the penalty box unencumbered. Rolling in against the Ramblers, Nobis once again scored the game-winner, this time from an assist by Shea Swoboda. She then came back to help score the Tigers' third goal flicking a pass to Swoboda.
Following nine games during Big 12 Conference play the freshman is tied for fifth with five shots during league action to average .56 goals per game. She is also tied for ninth with 28 shots to average 3.11 shots per outing.
McLellan Mentions
Forward Melissa McLellan brings indispensable relief support to the Missouri attacking lines. In Big 12 Conference Play, the junior has rejuvenated the Tigers' efforts dishing out two of her three assists on the year. She launched a cross enabling Amber Swinehart to score against Baylor and she lobbed a clean pass that Jennifer Nobis was able to knock down with a header.
McLellan is tied for fourth on the team in assists.
Breaking Down Bauer
Aiding the Tigers' offensive calculations, sophomore Karen Bauer jumps in as one of Mizzou's most influential setup players. Her ingenuity helps her fulfill a dual role as both an offensive threat and backup support staff. Showing her first signs of offensive might 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.
The midfielder stepped in during Big 12 Conference play to boost the Tigers to a 4-4-1 record. In her most impressive league performance against Oklahoma State, Bauer came up with her first double-assist game of the year helping Amber Swinehart and Jennifer Nobis find the net against the Cowgirls. Likewise, Bauer helped the Tigers topple Texas Tech dishing out an assist to help Suzy Probst score against the Red Raiders. She also served as a valuable component in Missouri's ranks in a tough 4-3 battle over Baylor.
Serving as the Tigers' standard cornerkick specialist, Bauer dished out her fifth assist on the year. The midfielder crossed a ball through the Texas A&M penalty box where forward Shea Swoboda was able to redirect the ball and enable forward Adriene Davis to score.
The feat boosts Bauer to fourth-place on the team in overall scoring with nine points from two goals and five assists. She is ranked third on the team in assists and also owns one game-winning goal. Cracking the standings during conference play, Bauer is tied for eighth in the Big 12 dishing four of her five assists during league games.
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.
Playing beneficial minutes during the beginning non-conference stanza, Heil has only enhanced during Big 12 play. The sophomore scored the game-tying goal against Baylor on an assist from Adriene Davis to re-even the field 1-1. She turned around just minutes later to turn the tables and assist Davis and push Mizzou to a one-point lead.
The midfielder upped her season tally dishing out the game-winning assist against Oklahoma State. Maneuvering the ball through the OSU defensive ranks, she flicked a quick pass to Melissa Peabody enabling the forward to score on a direct kick near the penalty mark.
Heil is ranked seventh on the team with six points from two goals and two assist. She is shooting 53 percent on goal taking 10 of her 19 shots to the net. She also owns a game-winning goal.
Exploring Pusch
Midfielder Erica Pusch returned to the lineup making a comeback from an ankle bruise acquired during the Baylor game. After taking time off, she rejoined the Tiger lineup as a relief player against Iowa State and Loyola before retaking her starting position against Texas A&M and Texas.
Prior to her forced sabbatical, Pusch joined the starting lineup as a freshman boosting the Tigers' exhilarating speed and enhancing 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.
During Big 12 Conference play, Pusch has diligently used her charisma to out maneuver some of the nation's best players. Playing a successful swing position complimentary with defender Carrie Crossett, Pusch can advance on the offensive in addition to filling in as a defensive specialist.
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.
Like many of her teammates, Probst has prospered facing the rigors of conference play. 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. She scored her first goal of the season against Texas Tech taking an assist from fellow midfielder Karen Bauer.
Following a facial injury against Loyola, Probst was sidelined against Texas A&M and Texas. Heading into the final stanza, the senior has been cleared by Missouri physician Mark Adams to once again take her place in the Mizzou halffield.
Duncan Dynamics
Goalkeeper Megan Duncan bolstered the Tigers through five overtime games to play 1,167 minutes in 12 games. She allowed 19 goals to record a 1.47 goals against average and made 68 saves on the year. Following a hand injury sustained in the Missouri-Baylor game, Duncan has undergone rehabilitative surgery and will be benched for the remainder of the season to recover.
Duncan was honored as the Ohio State Invitational Defensive Most Valuable Player after leading the Tigers to a 2-0 record. In two games, she 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.
Duncan continues to recover from her injury and has been cleared to play as a field player. A cunning defensive player she looks to assist Missouri in the Tigers' remaining games this season.