Oct. 19, 2003
Columbia, Mo.-The Missouri Tigers awed spectators rallying to a 5-4 overtime victory against No. 4 ranked Texas A&M. Mizzou came back from a 1-4 first period deficit to score three goals during the second half before besting the Aggies in sudden-death. The win is Mizzou's first over a Big 12 opponent this season and its third over a ranked team in 2003. The win takes Missouri to 7-8-1 on the year, with a 1-4-1 league mark.
When the Tigers gave up a goal just ten minutes into the first period, it looked as if Mizzou's run of hard luck was going to persist through another game. After the Tigers were called for a foul inside the penalty box, Amanda Burke put the Aggies on the board scoring from the direct penalty kick.
Just when things seemed to be going downhill for Mizzou, the Tigers came through with a change-up resetting the stakes. Just three minutes after the Aggie goal, Jennifer Nobis worked a ball to the top corner of the field and sent a cross into the TA&M box. Ill positioned to take a shot herself, Adriene Davis flicked the ball off her back foot where Elyse Nikunchuk broke through to slam the ball into the net to score.
In addition to equalizing the scoreboard, the goal is a historical marker in the Mizzou records. Not only is the goal the first of Nikunchuk's collegiate career, but Davis' assist brings her career tally to 30 and sets her apart as the Missouri career assists record holder.
Mizzou's euphoria was short lived however, as the tide again turned to sweep the Tigers back on counter offensive as the Aggies put in three more goals before the period was out. After pressuring the Tiger goal box for several minutes, Texas A&M's Annie Burnett sent a high pass toward the goal where Emma Smith headed the ball into the net. Ten minutes later, Carrie Berend served as the Aggies' playmaker sending a pass from corner end line where Kat Krambeer shot up with a header.
The Aggies put in their final goal of the half scoring on a cornerkick. Taking two consecutive cross kicks, the Texas A&M bounced a ball around the Mizzou goal box. Burnett kicked a loose ball back into the fray where Krambeer came up with her second scoring header of the day. Mizzou goalkeeper Stephanie Krawczyk made a leaping save to get her hands on the ball. But the momentum of the jump caused her to hit the ground over the goal line.
Keeping with the history of the Missouri-Texas A&M tug-of-war style rivalry, Mizzou opened the second period evening up the tally scoring a second goal. Midfielder Ashley Gibbs sent a long pass up the sideline where forward Melissa Peabody chipped a shot backwards from the end line. The ball curved beyond keeper Kati Jo Spisak's reach to bridge the scoring gap 2-4.
Encouraged by the goal, the Tigers upped their intensity against the Aggies, escalating the fervor of play and simultaneously heightening the physicality of the match. Before regulation time had expired, Mizzou had accumulated two yellow cards while the two teams paired for a combined 31 fouls.
Forcefully fighting to come back, Missouri set their sights on the Aggie goal. Mizzou's efforts came full circle as the Tigers' put in two consecutive goals just three minutes apart to tie Texas A&M 4-4.
With just over 12 minutes left to play, Mizzou exploited a corner kick opportunity to boost its score. Karen Bauer sent a slant to Peabody, who lofted a cross over the box where Nikunchuk utilized her height to head the ball into the net.
Just three minutes later, Peabody switched from playmaker to scorer. Forward Kristen Heil launched a throw in to Nobis just outside the penalty box. Making a swift pivot on the ball, Nobis passed inside the box where Peabody slammed the goal home and tie the game and send the match into overtime.
Proving themselves the duo of the day, Nobis and Peabody again matched up to give the Mizzou senior class a memorable victory to commemorate their final game in Audrey J. Walton Soccer Complex. Nobis sent a ball up field where Peabody throttled the ball past Spisak and deliver the Tiger victory.