Missouri
Oklahoma State (RV)
Tigers Tie #21 Ranked Oklahoma State, 1-1
10/10/2003 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Oct. 10, 2003
Columbia, Mo.-Playing their ninth game of the 2003 season against a ranked opponent--including the last six consecutive matches-the Mizzou Tigers tied #21 touted Oklahoma State 1-1. The deadlock takes Missouri to a 5-1-1 home season record.
Missouri opened the game in its trademark tenacious style pressuring Oklahoma State's defense from the kickoff. Forward Jennifer Nobis showed no signs her shoulder injury was holding her back as she took two dangerous headers awakening OSU goalkeeper Kathrin Lehman to her threat early on. Before Mizzou could utilize Nobis' talents however, the Cowgirls struck the Tiger goal.
Kim Graves dribbled a ball through the Missouri penalty box to take a slated shot from the far right corner. The punt proved lucrative as it skimmed through the goal box to hit the back left post.
Despite the deficit, the Tigers never let up in the first period. Raising tensions near the end of the half, Lehmann miscalculated a defensive pass back and was forced to scramble after the whiffed ball inside the OSU box. Mizzou forward Kristen Heil got a foot on the ball and crossed it back toward the Cowgirl net, but an OSU defender was there to redirect the cross and rescue the blunder.
The Tigers entered the second half regenerated and commenced a 45-minute offensive assault on the Cowgirl defensive line. Mizzou took eight shots in the period and kept Oklahoma State to just one. Within a three-minute period, the Tigers forced four corner kicks and took four shots on the OSU net. While those efforts were unrewarded, the alluring encounters bolstered the Tigers' offensive fortitude.
Bringing their efforts to culmination, the Tigers finally scored the game-tying goal with just 15 minutes remaining in the game. Ashley Gibbs passed a long slice up the left sideline where Nobis lofted a ball over Lehmann's head where the ball slammed the post and dropped into the goal.
Fighting to top the Cowgirls, Missouri labored through the remainder of the period, but were unable to profit during regulation play. Heading into their fourth overtime game of the year, Missouri battled Oklahoma State through 20 minutes of sudden death play to end with a draw. The tie takes Missouri to 6-6-1 on the year with a 0-3-1 record in the Big 12 Conference. OSU is now 11-0-2 with a 1-2-1 Big 12 mark.
Despite the stalemate, the Tigers kept the pace of the game edgy. Missouri ultimately outshot OSU 19-to-6 and kept the Cowgirls to one single shot on goal. Building Missouri's offense, freshman Elyse Nikunchuk led the Tigers taking seven shots in the game, including two on goal. Standing in as Mizzou's defensive midfielder, Nikunchuk awed the opposition by continually winning balls in the air. Using her height, she dominated the midfield to boost Mizzou to the come from behind tie.
In addition, the Tigers also witnessed inspirational play by senior Melissa McLellan. Playing her most minutes of the 2003 season, McLellan provided solid support in the Missouri half field.
The Tigers look to extend their unyielding competition into Sunday's game against Kansas. Mizzou faces the Jayhawks at 1:00 p.m., in Walton Stadium.
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