Aug. 29, 2004
Box Score
Champaign, Ill.- Facing Mizzou in the first game of the Illinois season, the Fighting Illini defeated the Tigers 4-1 to bring Missouri to a 1-1 season record.
Illinois opened the game pressing the Mizzou defense. Compensating against the rested Illini team, Missouri played high pulling its defense forward. Adjusting to the new defensive shape, the Tigers worked to find their groove during the first half. Taking advantage of the lull, Illinois was able to capitalize when Eva Strickland chipped a ball into the Tiger goal box where Illini Laura Redmond slammed a shot past Mizzou keeper Laura Buehrig.
Facing a 1-0 deficit, the Tigers turned up the pressure. Changing up the Mizzou dynamic, defender Ashley Gibbs, forward Jena Lind and midfielder Lauren Vineyard joined the fray while forward Melissa Peabody pulled back to the half field adding stability to Mizzou's game.
Just as the tide was beginning to turn for the Tigers however, Illinois put in a pair of goals. Alaree Gunville took a pass from Natasha Karniski from the top of the box to score IU's second goal. Forward Andrea Ridgeway scored the third just one minutes later. Battling Buehrig for the ball, Ridgeway knocked the ball loose to score uncontested giving Illinois a 3-0 lead heading into intermission.
The Illini opened the second half throttling the Mizzou goal with close encounters. The Tiger defense returned a ferocious attack thwarting the Illini effort. The boost rejuvenated Mizzou propelling the Tigers to score a retaliation goal. Gibbs worked a ball up the field sending a pass to the inside corner of the Illini goal box where Jennifer Nobis found the net.
Mizzou's comeback effort was short lived as Illinois put in a fourth goal capitalizing on a cornerkick. Tara Hurless lofted the ball across the Tiger goal box where Christine Sinak scored on a header.
The loss brings Buehrig to a 1-1 season record. The freshman recorded eight saves in the game while giving up four goals.
The Tigers return home to host the Nike Tiger Invitational beginning Fri., Sept 3 at 4:00 p.m. Baylor faced Iowa in the first round robin game followed by a Mizzou-Wisconsin match-up at 7:00 p.m. Play resumes on Sun, Sept. 5 when Baylor opposes Wisconsin at 11:00 a.m., leaving Missouri and Iowa to round out competition with a final game beginning at 1:30 p.m.
