Aug. 31, 2003
Missouri soccer Coach Bryan Blitz has had high expectations in each of the past three seasons. But each time, his teams have found a way to trip themselves up in the annual quest to return to the NCAA Tournament.
Blitz, who is entering his eighth season at MU, said that in the past his teams were talented enough to earn trips to the postseason, but they weren't tough enough mentally to close out games.
Last year was a perfect example. The Tigers lost three overtime games and tied another game after blowing a lead in the final two minutes. A win in any one of those games might have gotten them into the national tournament.
After a preseason tour of Brazil, the Tigers are ready to forge ahead with perhaps the deepest and most talented team in the program's history.
"We've had to persevere and learn some hard lessons, because we've put ourselves on the bubble the last couple seasons and left it in the hands of the selection committee," Blitz said. "But I think because of those experiences and those tough losses, it's really strengthened our resolve. This team has been so committed, has worked so hard as a group and we're battle-hardened and ready."
With nearly everyone returning from last year's 11-7-2 team that finished fourth in the Big 12 Conference, it's easy to see why Blitz is so excited. MU returns 14 letter-winners.
The Tigers have a small but experienced group of senior leaders in goalkeepers Megan Duncan and Stephanie Krawczyk and forwards Melissa McLellan and Adriene Davis,
Despite ranking fifth in the Big 12 and leading MU in scoring with 30 points on 10 goals and 10 assists, Davis was snubbed for all-conference honors last year. Davis wants to make sure she and her teammates get the respect they deserve this season.
"We have to win this year," Davis said. "I'm just doing everything I can to lead by example. I know that we've said this before, but I think we finally have the athletes to compete with the top teams in the Big 12.
"The coaches have done a great job getting great players to come here, and you can tell by how competitive practice has gotten. It's going to be hard to make the traveling 18, let alone the starting lineup."
Blitz is also counting on his junior class, led by second-team All-Big 12 forward Missy Peabody and preseason All-Big 12 midfielder Lacy Moore.
Peabody racked up nearly 100 shots last season, scoring nine goals and dishing out nine assists. Moore was one of the team's top defensive players last year and also added two goals and an assist. Fellow juniors Shea Swoboda, Karen Bauer, Ashley Gibbs, Kim Hibbert and Kristen Heil are also expected to make big contributions.
"We're not going to look too far ahead because we don't want to get knocked down again, but we definitely have high hopes," Peabody said. "We have a great schedule, and we have a good mix of experienced upperclassmen, plus a lot of young players who are going to make a real impact this year."
Blitz relied heavily on a trio of freshmen last season. Jennifer Nobis, Amber Swinehart and Erica Pusch all made an immediate impact. All three sophomores should provide some much-needed scoring punch in support of Peabody and Davis.
Scoring shouldn't be a problem in 2003 with all 10 of its goal scorers returning after a strong off-season.
The Tigers are particularly excited about their off-season recruiting haul with eight newcomers joining the mix.
With a trio of freshmen from Hickman High School - Lauren Grice, Melissa Griggs and Mallory Ames - and three heralded national recruits - Elyse Nikonchuk, Aria Hudetz and Margaret Malm Blitz will have plenty of lineup options.
Few teams in the country have a better group of goalkeepers with Duncan, Krawczyk and Kira Reyes, a sophomore transfer from the Air Force Academy. Duncan and Krawczyk combined for a 1.47 goals-against-average and four shutouts last year. Reyes was a three-year standout for Rock Bridge and was named as the state's goalkeeper of the year in 2001.
Duncan says she has a different feeling about this year's squad as Missouri prepares to open the 2003 season at Iowa tomorrow, before hosting its first home game Sunday against Northwestern.
"The great teams just have this aura about them," Duncan said. "In high school, I played on a team that was really good, and we just had this edge where you knew when we stepped on the field that we were going to win. I don't think we had that here the last couple years at Missouri, but I can feel it on this team. This is definitely going to be the year."
Printed in the Columbia Tribune August 28, 2003