April 23, 2003

COLUMBIA, Mo. - University of Missouri soccer team is off to an impressive start to their spring season as they went undefeated against two Big Ten teams last week. The Tigers started off their schedule with a scoreless tie against Indiana on April 11th and finished off the week with an impressive 4-1 victory over Illinois on April 19th.

Against Indiana defense was the name of the game. Both defenses played exceptionally well in this hard-fought scoreless tie. The game was played at Sportport as part of the annual St. Joseph's Girl's High School Soccer Tournament. Against Illinois the Tigers completely dominated the Illini. Missouri controlled the majority of the possessions and outshot Illinois 14-6. Jennifer Nobis had three goals for Mizzou and Adriene Davis picked up the other goal for the Tigers. The Illini's only goal came on an own goal by Mizzou defender Kim Hibbert as she attempted to clear the ball in the goal box and, aided by a stiff wind, knocked it into her own goal. The game was played in front of many Mizzou soccer alumni at Missouri Country Day High School in St. Louis.

Missouri head coach Brian Blitz said, "We're very pleased with the work ethic and progress we have made throughout the spring. All the work we have done was shown in the Illinois game. We showed we are very dangerous up top. Defense has been our theme all year, we played defense very well and we're excited about that."

The Tigers travel to South Bend, Indiana this weekend to take on Notre Dame and Marquette to close out their spring season.