Oct. 24, 2004
Box Score
Waco, Texas--Picking up a victory in their final Big 12 Conference match of the season, the Mizzou Tigers topped Baylor 3-2. The victory boosts Missouri to a 8-9-1 record with a 5-5 mark against league opponents. The win also extends Mizzou's win streak over the Bears to three games and boosts the Tigers to lead the MU-BU series record 6-5.
Pressuring Missouri early, Baylor forced four cornerkicks during the first 15 minutes of play. Despite taking seven shots, including five shots on goal during that time however, Tiger goalkeeper Laura Buehrig was on her game thwarting each Baylor attempt.
Persistence paid off for the Bears midway through the first half when Tiffany Boshers scored unassisted. Taking a ball up right field, she beat her defensive mark to score from the top of the penalty box.
Before Baylor could relish its advantage however, Mizzou struck back scoring a goal of its own just 24 seconds later. Senior Kristen Heil slammed a shot that was deflected off the Bear goalpost. Junior Jennifer Nobis recollected the ball to slip it past Baylor goalkeeper Ashley Holder to even out the score.
Despite the Missouri come-back, Baylor regrouped to score a second goal with just under four minutes remaining in the first period. Lofting a long ball over the Tiger half field, Bethany Vick positioned Anna Schuch inside the Mizzou 18-yard box to put the Bears up 2-1 heading into intermission.
Coming back strong in the second half, the Tigers finally managed to capitalize on one of their 12 cornerkick attempts. Lobbing a ball into the Baylor goal box, Heil slammed a header into the goalpost. Before Holder could get control of the loose ball inside the box, senior Shea Swoboda swooped into tap it over the endline and score her third goal of the season.
Sealing the Tiger victory, Melissa Peabody utilized another Missouri cornerkick opportunity to put in Mizzou's third goal of the game. With just 10 minutes remaining, resident corner kicker Karen Bauer sent a ball into the Baylor penalty area where it was forced out by the Bear defense. Capitalizing on her intense speed, Peabody redirected the ball for a long shot at the top of the Baylor box.
Overall Mizzou outshot Baylor 20-to-11 during the game, including a 12-to-7 shot on goal differential. Shutting the Bears down in the second half, Mizzou kept Baylor to just three shots in the remaining 45 minutes. Making five saves in the game while giving up two goals, Buehrig earned her eighth victory of the season.
The Tigers round out the 2004 regular season when they host Alabama A&M next Friday, October 29 at 7:00 p.m. Mizzou travels to San Antonio, Texas, to compete in the Big 12 Tournament the following week Nov. 3-7.
