Aug. 19, 2004

Columbia, Mo. - Mizzou was picked to finish sixth in Big 12 Conference standings in the 2004 Big 12 Preseason Coaches Poll. Head Coaches from the 10 of the leagues' 11 soccer programs (Nebraska elected not to participate) cast votes in the poll released by the conference office on Wednesday. Texas A&M led the pack receiving six of 10 first place votes totaling 84 points. Texas was second with 75 points, defending Big 12 champion Colorado placed third (68), followed by Kansas (59) and 2003 Big 12 Tournament champion Oklahoma State (53). Mizzou received 47 points to earn its sixth-place ranking. Oklahoma (34), Baylor (24), Iowa State (19) and Texas Tech (10) rounded out the field. Boosting the league's expectations for the young Mizzou squad, coaches named two Tigers to the 2004 Preseason All-Big 12 team in forward Melissa Peabody and midfielder Elyse Nikonchuk. Peabody showcased as one of only four seniors nominated to the team. Peabody's accolade comes on the heels of a tremendous late season rally last year when she led the Tigers to a come-from-behind victory against then #4 ranked Texas A&M (5-4). Peabody scored three goals and an assist to hand Missouri just its second win over the Aggies. She then rounded out the season with a whirlwind showing at the Big 12 Tournament scoring two goals against Nebraska helping the Tigers' claim their first victory over the Huskers (3-2). She was named to the 2003 Big 12 all-conference and all-tournament teams.

Sophomore Elyse Nikonchuk

Nikonchuk hailed as the Tigers most accredited athlete last season earning SoccerBuzz freshman all-central region and Big 12 all-tournament recognition. The Tigers' defensive center midfielder led Mizzou to a history making win over #1 seeded Colorado in the 2003 Big 12 Tournament. Scoring Missouri's game-winning-goal, the Tiger victory marked the first time in conference history a #8 seeded team had won a Big 12 Tournament game. She rounded out her inaugural season as a U.S. National U-19 team selection and spent her spring and summer gaining international exposure. Mizzou to a history making win over #1 seeded Colorado in the 2003 Big 12 Tournament. Scoring Missouri's game-winning-goal, the Tiger victory marked the first time in conference history a #8 seeded team had won a Big 12 Tournament game. She rounded out her inaugural season as a U.S. National U-19 team selection and spent her spring and summer gaining international exposure. Mizzou's preseason Big 12 athletes jump into the 2004 season backed by a talented squad. The Tigers return seven starters and 14 letterwinners to the field this fall, including All-Big 12 tournament defenders Karen Bauer and Erica Pusch, as well as all-tournament forward Kristen Heil. The Tigers open the season with an exhibition game against Southwest Missouri State on Fri., Aug. 20 at 7:00 p.m. Following the preparatory match, Mizzou kicks off the regular season on the road playing Northwestern and Illinois. The Tigers face the Wildcats on Fri., Aug. 27 at 4:00 p.m., before battling the Illini on Sun., Aug. 29 at 1:00 p.m. Initiating the 2004 home season, Missouri welcomes Wisconsin, Iowa and Baylor to the fifth annual Nike Tiger Invitational. The round robin event begins on Fri., Sept. 3 pairing Baylor and Wisconsin in a 4:30 p.m., match. The Tigers follow up facing the Hawkeyes at 7:00 p.m. On day two of the competition, Sun., Sept. 5, the Bears face Iowa on at 11:00 a.m., leaving Mizzou and Wisconsin to play a final match 1:30 p.m. All Missouri home games are held in Audrey J. Walton Soccer Stadium. Tickets are available by calling the Missouri Athletic Department Ticket Office at 884-PAWS. 2004 Big 12 Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses; coaches not allowed to vote for own team or players)
1. Texas A&M (6) 84
2. Texas (1) 75
3. Colorado (2) 68 4. Kansas 59
5. Oklahoma State (1) 53
6. Missouri 47
7. Oklahoma 34
8. Baylor 24
9. Iowa State 19
10. Texas Tech 10
^ Nebraska received 77 votes from the 10 participating coaches. 2004 Big 12 Soccer Preseason All-Conference Team
GK - Kati Jo Spisak, Texas A&M
D - Amanda Burke, Texas A&M
D - Laura Munnelly, Colorado*
D - Holly Gault, Kansas*
D - Charisse Co, Texas*
D - Laura Kram, Texas*
MF - Fran Munnelly, Colorado
MF - Elyse Nikonchuk, Missouri*
MF - Laura Probst, Texas A&M*
F - Caroline Smith, Kansas
F - Kelly McDonald, Texas
F - Melissa Peabody, Missouri
* tied for position