Aug. 13, 2004

The Mizzou soccer team opens its ninth competitive season in 2004 looking to build upon the successes of the previous year. Excited by the great expectations promised this season, the Tiger squad is poised to merge a wealth of veteran experience with the exuberance of a young crop of newcomers. Following an injury-plagued season last year, the Tigers are looking to jump into 2004 with the same enthusiasm that spurred their amazing late season rally. Anchored by seven seniors and three seasoned juniors, Mizzou is looking to establish a solid winning foundation right from the beginning. "We were talented last year," Head Coach Bryan Blitz reflects. "We were resilient, bouncing back from the injuries that set us back, but in order to take our program to the next level we need to develop more maturity. We know we are a good team, but we need to be great."

2003 scoring leader Kristen Heil looks have another tremendous year.

Finding the greatness within, the Mizzou program looks to rely heavily on its senior class for both experience and leadership. Taking steps to reach their goals during the off season, the Mizzou veterans helped organize spring and summer training programs. The Tigers' devotion to advancing their goals was contagious, even prompting many of the incoming freshman players to enroll in summer school so they could take part. "Our team has done a great job through the off season," Coach Blitz says. "Holding each other accountable and learning to deal with obstacles head on has helped bring this team together. The seniors have taken a large role in the development of our team. They want to go out on top and won't be satisfied with anything less than our best." In order to establish themselves as one of the best, the Tigers' have taken to heart the theme, "Good is the Enemy of Great." Following a roller-coaster season last year, Mizzou looks to bolster its consistency facing ranked and unranked opponents with the same vigor in every game. "Finding our consistency is going to hinge upon our maturity," Blitz theorizes. "We are a good team and can play with some of the finest teams in the country. We've proven we can face a #5 program and beat them, but we also need to face a #55 program and not play down to them. Scrutinizing our faults, our returning athletes have seen first hand what we need to do in order for this team to be great and that will play a big role in our success in the upcoming season." Determined to perform at the highest level possible, the Tiger squad has already proven their willingness to pay the price in order to achieve their goals. Committing to work during the off-season, Mizzou has already begun to answer some of the difficulties it faced last year. After a season unhinged by injuries in every position, the Tigers learned what it was to be true utility players as many athletes were shuffled to fill in the gaps. One step in overcoming some of the same setbacks this season is utilizing Mizzou's increased depth in each position this year. Goalkeepers
The Mizzou goalbox is the position experiencing the most changes in 2004. Following the graduation of four-year starters Megan Duncan and Stephanie Krawczyk, the Tigers look to a trio of new faces to fill the gap. Junior Kira Reyes looks to see her first minutes in the Mizzou box following a strong spring run. A transfer from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Reyes was honored as Missouri's Most Improved Player following a season of fine tuning last year. Emerging from the shadows of her predecessors, she carried the Tigers through an undefeated spring campaign collecting two shutout victories. Joining Reyes in the struggle to earn the coveted starting spot in goal, freshmen Laura Buehrig and Megan Shelley look to find playing time as well. Buehrig comes to Mizzou as a member of the 2002 Olympic Development Region III national championship team. Shelley joins the program following an impressive senior season recording 10 shutouts on her way to helping Crystal Lake High School (Ill.) to a 17-0-8 season and regional championship in 2004. "Goalkeeping is a question this season," Blitz says. "We have two new freshmen that are extremely exciting. In addition, Kira brings a lot of experience as a junior. She really showed herself well in the spring and it was encouraging to see what she can do. This fall is going to be a wide open race pairing youth against experience." Defenders
Mizzou returns more athletes to the defensive line than any other position. Laying the foundation last season, seniors Karen Bauer and Ashley Gibbs join junior Erica Pusch solidifying three of the Tiger starters in the backfield.

Senior defender Karen Bauer looks to again lead Mizzou in the backfield.

Mizzou also returns several capable defenders looking to fill the Tigers' fourth starting position. Seniors Kim Hibbert and Lacy Moore have shown their skill as both solid defensive players, as well as providing a valuable midfield presence. In addition, sophomores Elyse Nikonchuk and Meggie Malm look to be candidates for the role. Playing as Mizzou's center defensive midfielder, Nikonchuk stunned the opposition earning Big 12 all-tournament, SoccerBuzz Central Region all-freshman and Soccer America Elite Player of the Week recognition as a freshman. Filling a diverse role in her inaugural season, Malm played quality minutes in the backfield during Big 12 Tournament play. Adding further depth to the position, 2003 redshirt freshman Mallory Ames and newcomer Megan Smith both look to find playing time this season. "Shoring up our defense is a big area of concern," Blitz says. "We have already solidified three of our starting positions, but we're still looking to place the fourth piece of the puzzle. Ashley, Erica and Karen are very experienced on the field and bring a wealth of knowledge to our game. Finding a fourth player that compliments their chemistry will be one of the first issues we look to solve this season." Midfielders
Reinforcing the backfield is a strong Tiger midfield line. Backed by the return of Lacy Moore, who was sidelined early last season by a knee injury, and the stellar play of Nikonchuk, Amber Swinehart, Aria Hudetz and Lauren Grice, Mizzou is confident in the flexibility of the half field. Bolstered further by the abilities of swing players like Hibbert, Malm and forward Melissa Peabody, as well as newcomers Casey Dreyfus, Maddie Senkosky and Lauren Vineyard, the Tigers look to have abounding depth in the midfield as well. "The return of Lacy Moore is a big boost to our team. Pairing her skills with Amber, who had the best spring of her career this year, we look to provide a lot of versatility in the half field," Blitz says. "Paired with Melissa and Aria, who can both pull double duty on the forward line, and the addition of Lauren, who earned all-freshman honors from her conference last year, we're eager to see what our midfield can do." Forwards
Forming the offensive line, Mizzou returns starters in Peabody, Kristen Heil, Jennifer Nobis and Shea Swoboda. The Tigers also add extended depth with the addition of newcomers Jena Lind and Beth Wheeler, as well as the offensive abilities of transition players such as Hudetz, Malm and Swinehart. "With the maturity of our returning players, along with the addition of our newcomers, we have a good mix of youth and talent that will add depth to our forward line," Blitz says. Setting the goal to be as "Good is the Enemy of Great," Mizzou heads into another season looking to enhance consistency in order to reach post-season competition. After a 2003 finish that saw the Tigers just one game from the Sweet Sixteen, Mizzou is determined to go further, play better and develop as a team. "Our Missouri family is tenacious in reaching our goals," Blitz says. "We always talk about the betterment of the team and playing for each other. This team wants to go further and feel they can go further. We won't be satisfied until we are great."