Sept. 28, 2003

Box Score

Lincoln, Neb.-Facing blustery Midwestern winds along with the #21 Nebraska Cornhuskers, the Missouri Tigers stood against an intimidating adversary. Despite a stalwart effort, Mizzou fell 3-1 in the match taking its third consecutive loss to a ranked opponent.

Missouri opened the game with tight and controlled plays. The Tigers pressured the Nebraska goal early on, keeping the momentum focused on the Cornhusker net. Nebraska answered Mizzou's call with an organized attack to slow down Missouri's rhythm through the midfield. The Husker's tactic successfully helped Nebraska score the first goal just 17 minutes into the game. Forward Nikki Baker parried one-on-one with defender Karen Bauer to ultimately take her shot on a deflected ball to score.

Nebraska put its second and third goals on the board within seconds of each other. In a befuddled play where defender Erica Pusch and goalkeeper Stephanie Krawczyk were pulled to the ground and entangled with Baker, Baker tipped a ball over the tussle that trickled over the Mizzou goal line.

Just 32 seconds later, Nebraska's Iman Hayes worked a ball to the top of the Tiger box and slanted a low shot into the bottom corner of the Mizzou net, boosting the Huskers to a 3-0 first half lead.

Facing a daunting deficit entering the second half, goalkeeper Megan Duncan took over the Tiger box. Owning two victories on the year, including one shutout, Duncan added 45 minutes of scoreless play to her season total. Reassured in the backfield, the Tigers broke into the period rejuvenated.

Following the loss of Jennifer Nobis to a shoulder injury against Colorado, Missouri again rearranged its lineup to offset the loss of one of its key players. Shuffling ranks across the field, senior Adriene Davis and junior Melissa Peabody, recuperated from an ankle injury incurred against Mississippi State, made the move from offensive halfbacks to resume a positions in Mizzou's forward line.

The transition proved ideal for the Tigers as both veterans helped fuel Missouri's intensity to bolster a comeback. Peabody's tenacity up top paid off for the Tigers as she helped put Missouri on the scoreboard late in the second half. Using her speed to collect a long ball served by Kristen Heil, Peabody fought a Nebraska defender to the end line where she sent a cross through the Husker box. Freshman Aria Hudetz perfected the play slamming a goal past keeper Brooke Bredenberg to score.

Although the goal was a moral victory for Missouri, it wasn't enough to best Nebraska. The loss takes the Tigers to a 5-5 record with an 0-2 mark in the Big 12 Conference.

Missouri resumes play hosting a three-week home stand in Audrey J. Walton Stadium. First up, the Tigers are scheduled to face #12 ranked California on Friday, Oct. at 7:00 p.m. Mizzou resumes Big 12 play hosting Oklahoma on Sunday, Oct. 5 at 1:00 p.m.