Oct. 1, 2004

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Columbia, Mo.--Taking its second top 25 team into overtime play, the Mizzou Tigers proved once again they can contend with the nation's best. Battling #17 Nebraska, Mizzou out shot the Cornhuskers 21-to-15 before falling in double overtime 2-1. The loss takes the Tigers to a 4-6-1 season record with a 1-2-0 mark in Big 12 Conference play.

Nebraska asserted itself early in the game scoring after just under 14 minutes of play. Gunning the Missouri goal, Nebraska crossed a ball inside the Mizzou penalty box where it was deflected by a Tiger defender. Nebraska's Nikki Baker was there to redirect the shot into the Mizzou net to put the Huskers up 1-0.

Seeing some of its finest play this season, Missouri fought back matching Nebraska with three shots, forcing Husker goalkeeper Katie Wright to make three saves in the first half. Exhibiting some of the finest play of her career, defender Ashley Gibbs had a stellar game repeatedly thwarting the Husker offensive line.

Riding on the solid backing of its defensive play, the Mizzou offense pressured the Husker goal. Out shooting Nebraska 13-to-11 in the second half, the Tigers saw fruition of their efforts late in the period when Melissa Peabody sank the game-tying goal. Fellow forward Kristen Heil slammed a shot that was deflected by Wright. Before the keeper could gain control however, Peabody swooped in throttling a shot through the net sending the game into overtime.

Playing through a scoreless sudden death period, Missouri shut down the Huskers offensive drive. Bolstered by skillful play by Gibbs and intense efforts by halfbacks Erica Pusch, Lauren Grice and Lacy Moore, Nebraska was unable to take a single shot during the 10 minute stint. Meanwhile Mizzou attacked the Husker goal taking 2-of-3 shots to the net.

Despite out shooting Nebraska 2-to-1 in a second overtime period, the Tigers were unable to turn their efforts into a victory. Nebraska ended the contest scoring the game-winning sudden death goal in the 103rd minute of play on a cornerkick. Husker Brittany Timko crossed a ball over the Mizzou penalty area where Sasha Andrews headed the ball toward the Tiger goal. Falling short of its destination, Baker slipped in to finish the job tapping a shot over the MU goal line.

The game marks the fourth overtime match Mizzou has played this season taking the MU overtime record to 2-1-1 on the year. The loss also drops Tiger goalkeeper Laura Buehrig's record to 4-6-1. Playing one of her finest games of the season, Buehrig made eight astounding saves in the game while allowing two goals.

Mizzou continues Big 12 action on Sun., Oct. 3 when the Tigers host #23 Colorado at 1:00 p.m.