Nov. 17, 2003

Box Score

San Antonio, Texas-Playing in their third Big 12 Tournament championship game, the Mizzou Tigers once again fell just short of claiming a league tournament crown. Oklahoma State defeated Missouri 3-2 in double overtime.

Marking the first time in Big 12 history a #7 seed faced a #8 seed in the tournament championship, Oklahoma State and Missouri fought a tough first period battle. Both teams offensively struggled against stalwart defensive squads. Keeping the Tigers to a low scoring first period, Missouri was only able to take one of its eight shots to the net.

Earning a free kick at the midfield line, defender Karen Bauer launched a ball into the OSU penalty box. Midfielder Amber Swinehart was there to slam a shot toward the goal, but the ball was deflected by a Cowgirl defender and sent back outside. Positioned just outside the box, freshman Elyse Nikonchuk took a second shot to score Mizzou's first goal.

Although down, Oklahoma State pressed the Tiger defensive line taking nine shots in the opening stanza. Barricading the box however, the Missouri back field quad was able to contain OSU to a scoreless first half.

Agitated by Mizzou's 1-0 lead, the Cowgirls launched into the frenzied second period. In the first five minutes of play OSU aggressively attacked forcing two cornerkicks and a save by MU keeper Megan Duncan.

Oklahoma State's pounding finally paid off. Cowgirl midfielder Jere Boykin slammed a shot just inside the penalty box. But Mizzou stopper Karen Bauer was there to make a harrowing team save. The deflection didn't go far however as OSU defender Marcela Nova recollected the ball to score the game-tying shot.

Invigorated by the even playing field, Missouri mustered the energy to turn the tables on Oklahoma State to shower the Cowgirls with an offensive storm of their own. Jennifer Nobis sparked the rally making a dangerous break away drive at the OSU goal. Kathrin Lehmann struggled against the advance, but managed to make a sliding stop.

Encouraged by the play, Missouri pumped up its offensive efforts lashing three consecutive shots at the Oklahoma State net. Kristen Heil led the rally, followed by Melissa Peabody and a treacherous attempt by Swinehart. Although the Cowgirls managed to defend the rally, the charge opened the door for Missouri's second goal.

Opposing Peabody in the penalty box, Nova frantically fell behind her mark. Making a frenzied play, the Cowgirl pulled Peabody down to earn a foul and give the Tigers a direct penalty kick. Bauer, Mizzou's PK leader, easily scored to put the Tigers back on top.

The Cowgirls weren't deterred by the lead however, coming back to again even the scoreboard with just 11 minutes remaining in regulation play. OSU's Jolene Schwitzer sent a long ball over the Mizzou defensive line where Jere Boykin gathered the ball to score. In spite of a late period free kick attempt by Nikonchuk, the Tigers were unable to bounce back during regulation play.

Playing a frustrating sudden-death period, both teams labored defensively to keep the edge. In 10 minutes, only three shots were taken on either side of the field sending the game into a second overtime stanza. Oklahoma State dominated the final period taking five shots on the Missouri goal. Backed by the Tiger defense, Duncan successfully knocked down two saves taking Mizzou ever closer to a shoot out final.

With just over a minute left to play however, a Missouri foul just outside the Tiger penalty box gave OSU a free kick opportunity. Taking the shot 20-yards outside the goal, Nikki Wojtowicz throttled the game-winner past the Tigers.

OSU's championship victory marks the first for the Cowgirls in the Big 12 Tournament.