Aug. 29, 2003

Box Score

Iowa City, Iowa-- - In soccer, winning balls results in winning games. For the Missouri women's soccer team that philosophy proved to be the key factor resulting in Mizzou's season opening victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Tigers won 3-0 outshooting Iowa 28-5, including 17 shots on goal.

Following their pre-season stint in Brazil, the Tigers' took the field after making several transitions from the previous year. Midfielders Erica Pusch and Karen Bauer made a transition to the back lines repositioning former defenders Lacy Moore and Ashley Gibbs in the half field. Freshmen newcomers Aria Hudetz and Elyse Nikonchuk also filled in to bolster the Tigers' midfield line.

Pacing their alterations against the Hawkeyes, Missouri faced a 3-5-2 formation unseen during the pre-season. After making an adjustment early in the first half by moving from a 4-2-2 formation to their traditional 3-4-3, the Tigers quickly found their rhythm and began their domination of both balls on the ground and in the air.

Possessing the ball throughout the first half, Mizzou was finally able to capitalize late in the period. After having several shots thwarted by All-Big 10 goalkeeper Britta Vogel, forward Jennifer Nobis opted for an assist dishing a pass to Shea Swoboda for the Tiger's first goal on the year.

Leaving the first half, Missouri led the game taking 10 shots and forcing five saves from Vogel. Invigorated by the lead, Mizzou reentered the second period with the same confident flare. Just minutes into the half, the Tigers reestablished their force scoring for a second time. Gibbs slated a pass wide across the Iowa defensive line where Missy Peabody scored a well-placed goal to boost Mizzou's lead to 2-0.

Encouraged by their lead, the Tigers continued to incorporate the team goal of winning games with defense. As a result, the Tigers delivered solid protection through all areas of field helping to open their attacking game. Unrelenting in their efforts on both sides of the field smart play continued to pay off on the scoreboard as Nobis was finally able to use the Mizzou strategy to put in a goal of her own. Assisted by sophomore Amber Swinehart, Nobis slammed a shot into the net to post the Tiger's third goal of the match.

Mizzou's shutout boosts the Tiger's series record to 2-0 against the Hawkeyes and takes goalkeeper Megan Duncan's career shutout record to 11. The victory also boosts Missouri's record in season opening games to 4-3, including an opening win streak extending back to the 2000 season.

Missouri returns home to Walton Stadium to host the Northwestern Wildcats in the Tiger's home-opener on Sunday. The game begins at 1:00 p.m., and will be followed by an autograph session featuring the 2003 Mizzou squad.