Nov. 6, 2003
San Antonio, Texas - Accompanied by enthusiastic cheers from the visitor bench, the Mizzou soccer team became the first No. 8 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed during Big 12 Tournament play. Bolstered by the team's exuberance bench, Mizzou's players delivered on playing field as the Tigers overpowered the #7 ranked Buffaloes in a 2-0 upset victory.
Missouri dominated the game from the kickoff with synchronized efforts and clever plays. Establishing an offensive threat early on, Mizzou shot five dangerous attempts in the opening minutes of the match to force four saves by CU goalkeeper Jessica Keller.
Working just as adamantly on defense, Missouri simultaneously shutdown the Colorado forward line. Mizzou's defensive quad of Karen Bauer, Erica Pusch, Ashley Gibbs and Margaret Malm successfully upset CU's attacking drive to force all nine of its first half shots wide. Meanwhile, Missouri took four of its five first period shots to the net.
Settling into the second half, Mizzou easily regained control of the game's momentum created by marvelous play from the Tiger midfield. Adriene Davis demonstrated extremely skillful and intelligent play to help ground Missouri, while Amber Swinehart and Elyse Nikonchuk added a flare of tenacity to intimidate the Buffaloes.
After leaving the first period scoreless, the Tigers didn't waste time asserting their authority in the second half. After earning a free kick about 25-yards from the goal, Nikonchuk put Mizzou on the board scoring an unassisted goal--her fifth goal of the season-just five minutes in.
Shadowed by Colorado's come-from-behind victory over the Tigers during regular season play, Missouri resolved to keep the situation from repeating itself in tournament competition. With 40 minutes remaining, Missouri pressed forward determined to hold its lead.
Further proving Mizzou's fortitude, the Tigers sealed Colorado's fate scoring their second goal on a direct penalty kick with just under four minutes left. Melissa Peabody worked a ball up left field and sent a pass to Kristen Heil in the center of the penalty box. Heil throttled a shot at the CU goal, but the blast was deflected from defender Darci Smerchek on a hand ball. Finishing the scoring opportunity, Bauer stepped in as MU's resident PK leader to complete the drive and put Mizzou up 2-0.
Despite out shooting the Tigers 15-to-13 in the game, including four frantic shots during the final minutes of play, the MU defensive line played one of its finest games of the season keeping Colorado to just one shot on goal.
Holding the Buffs, Gibbs kept Big 12 Rookie of the Year and CU scoring leader Katie Griffin to just two shots in the game both of which Gibbs forced wide. Similarly, Pusch controlled her side of the field keeping Kathryn Grandinetti and Alyssa Burgess from creating opportunities. Backed by Bauer in the stopper position, the Mizzou defense was impenetrable.
Looking to extend the dynamic into the semifinal round, Mizzou will face the winner of the Nebraska-Texas A&M game tomorrow night at 5:00 p.m. The winner of the semifinal game will then advance to the championship game scheduled for Sun., Nov. 9 at 1:00 p.m.