Oct. 5, 2003

Box Score

Columbia, Mo.- The Mizzou Tigers fall to 0-3 in the Big 12 Conference taking their first home loss to #24 Oklahoma. The Sooners bested the Tigers 2-1 in overtime to drop Mizzou's record to 6-6 on the season.

Missouri fought an all to familiar battle against Oklahoma. In a rivalry distinguished by tight and aggressive play, the Tigers and Sooners kept the match close throughout the first period. Missouri slimly led the offensive taking seven shots compared to six Oklahoma attempts. Neither teams were able to set up scoring plays however and struggled to a 0-0 intermission.

Changing their standard lineup to counter Oklahoma's 2-4-4 layout, midfielder Ashley Gibbs and defender Kim Hibbert switched out to counteract OU's offense. Following her solid attacking performance against #17 California, where Hibbert Mizzou's game-winner, the defender moved to the half field to assist the Tiger offense.

Gibbs in turn took to the backfield to thwart Sooner leading scorer Logan Womack. Unable to best Gibbs, Womack tried her luck against right flank Erica Pusch midway through the period, but once again found the Tiger line impenetrable.

Adding to Missouri's defensive effort, Tiger leading scorer Kristen Heil came up with a valuable team save for Mizzou. Following a corner kick, goalkeeper Megan Duncan was pulled from position by an unsuccessful shot. Womack repossessed the ball and took a shot inside the box. Heil frustrated her efforts sweeping the shot away where Duncan pounced. Continuing the skirmish in the second period, both teams kept the tempo fast and furious.

Missouri found its rhythm early in the half scoring eight minutes in. Synchronizing their efforts on a corner kick, Karen Bauer launched a ball into the Oklahoma box. Midfielder Elyse Nikunchuck got a piece of the ball sending it to the top right edge of the box were Aria Hudetz redirected a skilled pass to Melissa Peabody for the score. The goal marks Peabody's second on the year and adds a second assist for Hudetz.

The Tigers were unable to defend their lead however, giving up a goal to the Sooners with just eight minutes to play. Lauren MacIver lofted a shot from the midfield into the Mizzou penalty box where Savannah Scott headed a goal over Duncan to score and send the game into overtime.

Playing in the final stanza, ironically named sudden death, the Tigers efforts were killed on a questionable call. With just over three minutes remaining in the period, Scott fiercely dribbled a ball through Mizzou's penalty box to the end line. She spun to send a cross through the box, but instead of setting up a scoring play for one of her teammates, the ball hit the far post and dropped over the MU goal. Controversy arose over whether or not the ball had crossed over the end line before Scott sent the ball wide, but official Bob Jovanovic ruled the goal fair to give the Sooners the victory.

The loss brings Missouri's home win streak to an end just one win shy of tying the Tiger's home win streak record set in 1999. The 2003 6-0 stint is however Mizzou's longest home opening streak in history.

Mizzou returns to Big 12 action next weekend when they host Oklahoma State and Kansas. The Tigers face the Cowgirls on Fri., Oct. 10 at 7:00 p.m. Missouri then faces off with the Jayhawks on Sun., Oct. 12 at 1:00 p.m.