Aug. 20, 2004
Columbia, Mo.--The Mizzou women's soccer team tested the waters of the upcoming 2004 season with an exhibition match against Southwest Missouri State. The Tigers bested the Bears in the preliminary game with a 7-2 victory. Experimenting with the new Tiger lineup that includes eight newcomers, Mizzou opened the first half pressing the Southwest defense. After just under four minutes of play, the Tigers asserted themselves on the scoreboard when Jennifer Nobis scored Missouri's first goal heading in a cornerkick by Karen Bauer. Finding success in their first attempt, the Tigers continued to rely on Bauer's long loft ability. The defender recorded three assists in the game delivering goal-scoring cornerkicks to Kristen Heil just 20 minutes afterward and Meggie Malm later in the second half. Despite the Tigers' early success pulling in front of SMS, the Bears fought back scoring two goals in the first period. Sarah Guenther lobbed a free kick over the Mizzou box where Kate Hercules headed in the Bear's first goal. Lauren Heck then set up Southwest's second goal taking a shot that was blocked by the Mizzou defense. Kate Blair rebounded the ball to slip past goalkeeper Laura Buehrig. Leaving the first half with a 3-2 lead, following a goal by Melissa Peabody, the Tigers returned to the field dominating the remainder of the game. Scoring four goals during the second half, Mizzou kept the Bears from making a single scoring drive outshooting SMS 16-0. Experimenting with veterans playing new positions and testing the chemistry of its newcomers, Mizzou saw impressive play across the field. Malm started the half off with her first goal against a collegiate opponent while newcomers Jena Lind and Beth Wheeler found a nitch when Lind slated a pass to help Wheeler score Mizzou's fifth goal. Not to be overshadowed by youth however, Mizzou veterans capped off the game scoring the Tigers' remaining pair. Scoring her first hat trick in collegiate play, Heil scored Mizzou's final goals to end the period. Fellow senior Shea Swoboda dished an assist inside the box where Heil slipped the ball past SMS goalkeeper Elise Herndon. She then crowned the feat scoring an unassisted goal just five minutes later. Backed by a successful exhibition match, the Tigers head into regular season play next week when Mizzou travels to face Northwestern and Illinois. Missouri opens the 2004 home season on Sept. 3 hosting the fifth annual Nike Tiger Invitational. The Tigers welcome Baylor, Wisconsin and Iowa to the two-day event. Tickets are still available by calling the Missouri Athletic Department Ticket Office at 884-PAWS or at Audrey J. Walton Stadium on game day