Sept. 25, 2004

Box Score

Norman, Okla.--The Mizzou Tigers picked up their first Big 12 Conference victory defeating Oklahoma 2-1 in double overtime. The win is Missouri's first on the road against the Sooners and brings the MU season tally to 4-4-1 (1-0-0).

Mizzou opened the game tentatively adjusting to a reorganized lineup. Oklahoma came out challenging the Tiger defensive staff. Center half back Lacy Moore tested the Sooners finding herself time and again in the right place at the right moment. Combined with the efforts of the Mizzou defensive line, the Tigers gave up just three ill attempted shots during the period.

Missouri saw the valuable return of several players previously quarantined on the injured list. Meggie Malm started her first game after taking a two-match reprieve recuperating from an ankle sprain. Elyse Nikonchuk came in off the bench midway through the first half along with forward Melissa Peabody. Nikonchuk suffered an ankle sprain against Loyola-Chicago, while Peabody missed six games recovering from a knee injury.

Finding its rhythm, Mizzou asserted itself offensively out shooting the Sooners 8-to-3. Despite tremendous efforts across the field however, the Tigers were unable to find the net during the first period.

Ten minutes into the second half, Oklahoma cast a dark shadow on the game scoring an unassisted goal. Tiger goalkeeper Laura Buehrig came out of the 18 yard box to assist defender Lauren Grice against Oklahoma's Savannah Scott. The Sooner flicked a header toward the Mizzou goal popping the ball over Buehrig's reach where it gently rolled over the goal line before Mizzou could recover.

Despite facing a 1-0 deficit, the Tigers maintained their intensity. The Mizzou defense shined shutting down Oklahoma's offensive efforts allowing the Tiger offense to throttle the Sooner goal. Keeping to Missouri's theme this season, persistence pays off, the Tigers tied up the game late in the second period. Defender Erica Pusch launched a cornerkick into the Oklahoma penalty box. Nikonchuk headed the ball setting up Shea Swoboda to score the game-tying header.

Seeing its third overtime game of the season, Missouri battled through a scoreless sudden death period. Although the Tigers created several scoring opportunities, including two cornerkick thrillers, the game remained deadlocked resulting in a second overtime bout. With just over four minutes on the clock, Pusch brought the game to an end scoring the sudden death game-winner. Launching from around 35 yards out, Pusch sailed a ball over the OU penalty box skimming the shot through the top of the Oklahoma net.

Missouri continues the Big 12 Conference season on Sunday facing Oklahoma State. The Tigers and Cowgirls square off at 1:00 p.m., in Stillwater, Okla. Mizzou returns home next week hosting Nebraska on Fri., Oct. 1 at 7:00 p.m., followed by a game against Colorado on Sun., Oct. 3 at 1:00 p.m.