Missouri Hosts Mississippi State and Mississippi
9/18/2002 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Sept. 18, 2002
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Up this Week
The Missouri women's soccer team returns home to host Mississippi State and Mississippi at Audrey J. Walton Soccer Stadium. The Tigers face the Bulldogs on Fri., Sept. 20 at 7:00 p.m., and match up with Ole Miss on Sun., Sept. 22 at 1:00 p.m.
Radio Coverage
All 2002 Missouri 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.
Tiger Promotions
This weekend is Missouri Faculty weekend where MU staff can purchase discounted tickets. The Tigers welcome employees from the University of Missouri Health Care System to the Mississippi State game on Friday. Employees need to present staff identification to gain entry to the event.
In addition to MU faculty, Sunday's game is Missouri's Family Day where families can purchase a game-day package that includes four tickets, four hot dogs and four small drinks from the concession stand for just $16.00. Following the Missouri-Mississippi game there will also be a special autograph session where Tiger fans can meet their favorite Mizzou athletes.
Scouting Mississippi State
Mississippi State comes to Columbia toting a 3-4 season record. The Bulldogs opened up the season with a 1-0 victory over Texas Christian before dropping a game to MU conference rival Baylor in a 1-2 contest. Likewise, the Bulldogs lost a game to another Big 12 Tiger opponent with a 1-2 loss to Kansas.
Sophomores Amy Van Zandt and Jessi Moore top the Bulldog roster with 10 points on the year. Van Zandt leads the team with four goals (two assists) while Moore leads the team with four assists (three goals). Goalkeeper Krystal Werges has played every minute of Mississippi State's seven games allowing 12 goals for a 1.69 goals against average. She has made 44 saves on the season and is 3-4 on the year.
Last season, the Bulldogs finished with a 13-8 season record going 5-4 in the Southeastern Conference to finish first in the Western division. Mississippi State returns nine starters and 18 letterwinners to the 2002 squad. This is the Tigers and Bulldogs first meeting.
Scouting Mississippi
Ole Miss is 5-0-1 overall including wins over Big 12 programs Kansas (1-0) and Colorado (3-0). Mississippi's lone tie of the season was a 2-2 standstill with the Wyoming Cowgirls.
Kelly Renie leads the Rebels with 19 points on the year. She has scored eight goals and dished out three assists to lead the team. In addition she has also scored three game-winners. Kristin Chapman is second on the team with six points coming from three goals, including a successful penalty kick. Also topping the assist charts for Mississippi, Leigh Barrow ties for first on the team with three. In goal for Ole Miss, Brittany Gillespie has played 514 minutes allowing just four goals for a .70 goals against average. She has also made 16 saves on the year and owns three complete shutout victories.
The Rebels rounded out 2001 with a 10-10-1 record and a 4-5 SEC mark to finish third in the Western Division. Ole Miss returns seven starters and 16 letterwinners this year. This is also the first meeting between Missouri and Mississippi.
Mizzou in the Rankings
Opening the 2002 season with two victories and a tie against teams ranked in the top-25 earned Missouri a nod from various voters' polls. Adding two wins and the Ohio State Invitational title to their list of accolades, the Tigers rank fifth in the NSCAA/adidas and ninth in the Soccer Buzz Central Regions.
The Tiger's opening march also earned Missouri its second straight week earning votes in the national spotlight as Mizzou received five top-25 votes from the Soccer Times voting panel.
Mizzou started the year claiming a double-overtime victory over No. 23 ranked* Illinois (2-1) and falling in a double-overtime loss to Indiana (2-1). Claiming the Florida State Classic title, Missouri came out with a 1-0-1 record to tie FSU (2-2) and defeat Miami (1-0). Claiming the OSU tournament title brings the Tigers to a 4-1-1 season mark. * All rankings are based on where a team was ranked prior to its match with MU.
Tigers in the Big 12
Missouri is currently tied for fourth in the Big 12 Conference with a 4-1-1 record. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State lead the pack each owning a 6-0-0 record. Baylor comes in with a 6-1-0 record and Kansas ties Mizzou also owning a 4-1-1 mark.
The Tigers top the league with 41 saves to average 6.83 saves per outing. Mizzou is also ranked fourth in goals against average owning a 0.89 average after six games, including three double-overtime matches. The Tigers are also tied for third in the Big 12 with two shutout victories.
On the offensive, Missouri ranks fourth in the league with 95 shots on the year to average 15.63 shots per game. Mizzou is also ranked fourth with 10 assists to average 1.67 assists per outing. Summing up the scoreboard, the Tigers are ranked fifth in goals (10), sixth in points (30) and seventh in goals per game (1.67).
Tiger Anchor
Goalkeeper Megan Duncan continues to reaffirm her calling as Mizzou's starting goalkeeper. 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.
Last week, 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 ranks second making nine saves against both Florida State and Indiana.
Overall, Duncan has played 606 minutes in six games, including three consecutive double-overtime games. She has allowed just six goals on the year for a 0.89 goals against average. She has also made 40 saves on the year. The mark puts her on top of Big 12 competition in overall saves with her closest conference competitor, Texas A&M's Katie Spisak, with just 27 saves.
Duncan also leads the league averaging 6.67 saves per game. She is also ranked second with two shutout victories and is fourth in shutouts per games played. Duncan is also ranked fourth in the Big 12 in goals against average, consequently however, she has played almost 60 minutes more during the 2002 season than any other Big 12 goalkeeper.
Defensive Dynamic
The key to Missouri's success over the past two weekends has hinged primarily on the strength of the Mizzou defensive capabilities. The sophomore squad of Lacy Moore, Kim Hibbert and Ashley Gibbs has successfully thwarted the efforts of their opponents to help the Tigers earn four victories, including two shutout triumphs.
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 just 11 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 six opening games, including three consecutive double-overtime contests. Starting the new 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.
Hitting on Hibbert
Adding valuable support to the defensive effort, sophomore standard Kim Hibbert has once again earned a starting position on the Missouri defensive line. Playing 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 starting lineup of the Bowling Green Falcons to take 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.
Forward Force
The Missouri offensive effort continues to develop under the pressure of competition. In just six games, the Tigers have recorded two shutout victories and claimed wins over two top-25 opponents. The combination of speed, skillful position 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. Tied for second on the team with six points on the year, Davis has scored one goal and leads the team with four assists. Davis' scoring ingenuity looks to be a key factor for Mizzou's season as she also ranks second in the Big 12 Conference in assists and is tied for 10th in the league in overall points.
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. Peabody scored her second goal, and her first game-winning goal, of the season against Bowling Green State. In addition, Peabody has helped develop Missouri's offensive intensity providing two assists on the year to tie for second on the team with six overall points.
The sophomore is second in the Big 12 with 26 shots on the year and leads the league averaging 4.33 shots per game. Her eight shots against Florida state ties for the 2002 Big 12 high. Peabody is tied for 10th in the Big 12 in points and fifth in assists.
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 took a well-earned shot against Miami forcing Hurricane keeper Rachel Elsby to make a dramatic save.
Although her attempts against Miami were upset, Swoboda came back to help the Tigers to victories over OSU and BGSU. The forward put the Tigers on the board against the Buckeyes knocking down a header to give Mizzou a 1-0 lead going into half time intermission. The goal is Swoboda's first on the year.
Serving as one of Mizzou's most accurate shooters leading the team with an 80 percent shot on goal ratio in 2001, Swoboda tops the charts once again shooting 67 percent. She has taken four of her six shots on goal in 2002.
Assessing Swinehart
Freshman Amber Swinehart has started her Mizzou career solidly earning a starting position in just her first year. The forward has risen as the Tigers' leading scorer putting in three 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.
The scoring onslaught has tied Swinehart for fifth in the Big 12 Conference with seven points on the year. She is also tied for fourth in overall goals and ranks seventh averaging .500 goals per game.
Noting Nobis
Also playing valuable minutes on the Mizzou forward line, freshman Jennifer Nobis leads the newcomers with 10 shots, including five shots on goal. 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.
The midfielder also owns one assist on the season dishing a flick to forward Adriene Davis to help the Tigers score their only goal against Indiana.
Harping Up 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 a .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 in fluid ball movement through the midfield.
After solid play in the Tigers' opening games, the senior suffered an ankle injury against Miami. Following a week of rehabilitation, Probst was able to start against Ohio State, but consequently re-agitated the injury. Her status will remain tentative until game time on Friday.
