Missouri Travels to Florida State Classic.
9/4/2002 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Sept. 4, 2002
Up this Week
The Missouri women's soccer team opens the 2002 travel schedule at the Florida State Classic in Tallahassee, Fla. Mizzou faces No. 16 ranked Florida State on Fri., Sept. 6 at 6:30 p.m. (CT). Missouri continues play on Sun., Sept. 8 at 10:30 a.m. (CT), against the University of Miami. All games will be scored live on the Florida State website at http://seminoles.ocsn.com/livestats/w-soccer/.
Classic Schedule
Friday
LSU vs. Miami 3:30 p.m.
FSU vs. Mizzou 6:30 p.m.
Sunday
Miami vs. Mizzou 10:30 a.m.
FSU vs. LSU 1:00 p.m.
* all times are Central Standard Time.
Scouting Florida State
Florida State jumped into the 2002 season ranked 10th by Soccer Buzz, 15th by Soccer America and 16th by the NSCAA and Soccer Times. After its first weekend of play, FSU is 1-0-1 claiming a 2-1 victory over Oregon and fighting to a 0-0 standstill against Oregon State.
Sophomore forward Jez Ratliff leads Florida State with three points. She scored a goal and lent the game-winning assist to fellow forward Cami Bybee against the OU Ducks. Kerry York anchors FSU in the goalbox. In 200 minutes of play this season, she has made 10 saves and allowed one goal for a 0.45 goals against average.
The Seminoles return eight starters and 16 letterwinners from its 2001 squad that wend 15-8-1 and 4-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference to finish third in league standings. Florida State advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before losing to Clemson 1-0.
Scouting Miami
The University of Miami is 2-0 entering the Florida State Classic owning victories over Stetson University and South Florida. The Hurricanes defeated Stetson 7-0 in their opening match and topped SFU 5-1.
Forwards Britney Butcher and Lindsey Yach top the scoring column for Miami. In just two games, Butcher has scored six goals claiming three in each game to lead the Hurricanes with 12 points. Not far behind, Yach scored a pair of goals against South Florida and Stetson to rank second on the team with eight points. In the assist column, Anik Huffman has dished out three and put in one goal to rank third on the team in scoring.
Bolstering the Hurricanes in the backfield, goalkeeper Rachel Elsby is 2-0 on the year playing 180 minutes, making three saves and allowing just one goal for a .50 goals against average.
Mizzou in the Rankings
The Tigers are currently ranked 7th in the NSCAA/adidas and 10th in the Soccer Buzz Central Regions. Mizzou started the 2002 season going 1-1 claiming a double-overtime victory over No. 23 ranked Illinois (2-1) and falling in a double-overtime loss to Indiana (2-1).
Tigers in the Big 12
Missouri is second in the Big 12 Conference in overall saves totaling 12 in two games. In addition, the Tigers are ranked third in shots with 42. Mizzou also comes in the top 50 percentile with three assists on the year to average 1.5 assists per game.
Freshmen on Fire
Mizzou freshmen have lit up the field with speed and innovative scoring. The Tigers' 2-1 double-overtime victory hinged on the talents of the squad's newcomers as freshmen Amber Swinehart and Erica Pusch put in goals for the Tigers. After two solid games, Pusch was named to the Nike Tiger Invitational All-Tournament Team.
Also playing valuable minutes, forward Jennifer Nobis leads the newcomers with eight shots, including four shots on goal. She ranks 10th in the Big 12 in shots.
Defensive Dynamic
Following the graduation of Mizzou defensive strategists Dyana Russell and Mandy Waters, the Tiger defensive line has undergone reconstruction. Sophomore phenom Lacy Moore has taken over the role of defensive specialist anchoring the backfield line. One of the Tigers' most consistent players, Moore played every minute in all 21 games during the 2001 season. 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.
Adding valuable support to the restructuring, senior Carrie Crossett and sophomore standard Kim Hibbert return to their starting positions on the defensive line. Both athletes put in valuable minutes in the Tigers' opening series providing continuity and fluid movement through the backfield.
Joining the trio, sophomore Ashley Gibbs has filled the fourth starting position. 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. Her speed and force look play a key role in Missouri's upcoming games.
Mizzou Midfielders
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.
Aiding Probst in 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 offensive threat and backup support.
Rounding out the four-three-four midfield trio, sophomore Kristen Heil has assumed a starting role in the Tiger half field. Rounding out the 2001 season as Missouri's fifth leading scorer with nine points, Heil utilizes her speed and cut throat playing style to outmaneuver the opposition.
Forward Force
Capturing the headlines, forward Adriene Davis returns as one of Mizzou's go-to players in the offensive line. Leading the Tigers with one goal and one assist on the year, Davis' scoring ingenuity looks to be a key factor for Mizzou's season. Joined in the forward ranks by sophomore Missy Peabody, who leads the team and ranks fifth in the Big 12 with nine shots, the duo creates an opposing threat.
In addition, reserve player Shea Swoboda has come in off the bench to provide rejuvenated efforts for the Tigers. As chemistry amongst the young team continues to build, the coaching staff will continue to look for her influence.
Tiger Anchor
Goalkeeper Megan Duncan resumes her roles as Missouri's starter in the box. Owning a 1-1 record on the season, she leads the Big 12 Conference with 12 saves and a six save per game average. In addition, her nine saves against Indiana ranks her first in the league's individual game high. The junior has played every minute of Mizzou's consecutive double-overtime games, allowing three goals to record a 1.19 goals against average.
