May 4, 2005
Columbia, Mo. -- The Mizzou Tigers completed an undefeated spring season, overcoming a lethargic first half to defeat Southwest Missouri State, 3-0.
After struggling through a first half with few opportunities for either team, the Tigers jumped on the Bears early in the second half, with sophomore midfielder Lauren Vineyard scoring in the 49th minute.
Vineyard received a pass from sophomore midfielder Aria Hudetz at the top of the box. Beating a defender, Vineyard turned and curled a right-footed shot around SMS goalkeeper Elise Herndon and into the upper corner of the net.
Just three minutes later the Tigers came close to doubling the lead when junior forward Jennifer Nobis played freshman Casey Dreyfus into the area with a wonderfully measured ball. However, Dreyfus' effort was pushed just over the bar, and the score remained 1-0.
Vineyard would get her second goal of the game in the 62nd minute after great work with Nobis. An errant pass by Herndon was intercepted by Vineyard, who played to Nobis before charging into the goal box to receive a one-timed ball from Nobis. Vineyard was able to collect and slide her shot past the charging Herndon to double the Tigers' advantage.
Mizzou wrapped up the game just five minutes later when Nobis was given a breakaway after an early cross by Hudetz. The midfielder expertly floated a ball behind the defense to meet Nobis' run. She dribbled into the box before slotting a shot into the right corner - the goal is her fourth this spring.
The Tigers continued to play tough defense, despite losing junior captain Erica Pusch to an ankle injury midway through the first half. The stingy defense limited the Bears to only a couple of second-half opportunities, both resulting from poorly-taken goal kicks.
Tiger goalkeepers Laura Buehrig, Kira Reyes and Megan Shelley combined for the team's second shutout of the spring, thwarting the same Bear team that recorded two goals against the Tigers in its 7-2 victory last fall.
"We got off to a slow start and had a difficult time putting out the effort that is expected of our team," Missouri Head Coach Bryan Blitz said. "In the second half we came out and raised our level to put them under pressure and get the type of result we were looking for in this game.
"We were very happy to see Vinny get two goals today as well as some other players get some much deserved time after putting in a lot of hard work over this spring season. We feel that this spring has been very good overall and it really gave our team the chance to develop their own identity after losing such an influential senior class from the fall. We have a lot of work to do over the summer and hope that the confidence from this spring will continue when we start up again in August."