Sept. 27, 2005
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COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The Missouri Tigers, ranked No. 29 in this week's Soccerbuzz top 30 poll, travel to Iowa State and No. 25 Nebraska this weekend for conference matchups against the Cyclones on Friday, Sept. 30 and the Huskers on Sunday, Oct. 2.
The Sunday contest against Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb., at 1:00 p.m. will be broadcast live nationally on CSTV and in Nebraska on NET2/NET-HD.
"It's an honor to be considered for the college game of the week," said Missouri head coach Bryan Blitz. "For our fans and family of our players, it's a great opportunity for them to see us if they cannot go to the game. We feel humbled."
"Nebraska is one of the best teams in the Big 12," Blitz continued. "They are a measuring stick for us to see how we compare to the best of the Big 12. They're very well coached and are extremely talented."
Yet, the Tigers are talented in their own right. The team averages 2.10 goals per contest while allowing just 0.80 goals per game. Individually, Senior forward Jennifer Nobis ranks eighth nationally in assists per game with 0.78, up from No. 17 last week. In addition to Nobis, senior forward Amber Swinehart and sophomore goalkeeper Laura Buehrig also rank in the top five in Big 12 Conference statistical categories.
LAST WEEK Missouri opened Big 12 Conference play on Friday, Sept. 23 with a tough 3-2 loss to No. 14 Texas A&M at Walton Stadium. With the score tied 2-2 in the 73rd minute, A&M's Kat Kambeer put her shot past sophomore keeper Laura Buehrig for the game-winner. Senior forward Amber Swinehart gave the Tigers an early 1-0 lead in the eighth minute but the Aggies responded eight minutes later to tie the game. After a missed Aggie penalty kick, freshman midfielder Mo Redmond put the Tigers on top 2-1 with a header. However, Texas A&M again tied the game 2-2 after Amy Berend knocked in a shot from outside the box.
The Tigers earned their first conference win of the season with a 2-1 win over Baylor on Sunday, Sept. 25. Missouri allowed a first-half Baylor goal to end the half down 1-0. The Tigers, however, came out firing in the second half and tied the game on senior forward Jennifer Nobis' penalty kick in the 58 th minute. Three minutes later, Swinehart scored the game- winner from five yards out.
LEADING THE WAY As of games played though Sept. 25, senior forward Jennifer Nobis ranks eighth nationally in assists per game (0.78).
Three Tigers also find themselves ranked in the top five in Big 12 Conference statistics, as of Sept. 26. Nobis leads the league in shots per game (5.11), is second in total assists (seven) and assists per game (.780), fourth in total shots (46) and fifth in total points (15) and points per game (1.67). Senior forward Amber Swinehart sits atop the conference in game-winning goals (four), ranks fourth in goals (six) and fifth in goals per game (0.60). Sophomore goalie Laura Buehrig is second in the conference in save percentage (.852) and saves per game (4.6) tied for second in total saves (46), fifth in goals against average (0.83) and tied for fifth in shutouts (three).
IN THE RANKINGS For the first time since 2000, Missouri is ranked in the Soccerbuzz National Top 30 rankings, falling in at 29. The Tigers received votes in last week's poll and entered the rankings due to an impressive showing against No. 14 Texas A&M on Friday and a win over Baylor on Sunday. Big 12 rival Oklahoma also entered the poll this week at No. 30. In the Soccerbuzz Central Region Top 15, Missouri moved up one spot to No. 3, which ties the school's highest ever ranking from 1999. Texas A&M tops the central poll followed by Vanderbilt. Oklahoma, Tennessee, Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Kansas, Saint Louis and Mississippi round out the top ten. SMU, Texas, Colorado, Iowa State and Memphis were ranked 11-15, respectively.
RECORD WATCH As of Sept. 21, five Tigers find themselves ranked in the top 10 in Missouri's career recordbook. Senior Jennifer Nobis ranks third in game-winning goals (nine), shots (215) and shots on goal (102), fourth in points (77) and fifth in goals (28) and assists (21). Senior Amber Swinehart is seventh in game-winning goals (five), seventh in shots (110) and ranks ninth in shots on goal (50). Senior Erica Pusch is eighth in shot on goal percentage (.538) and ninth in games started (65), junior Aria Hudetz ranks 10th in shot on goal percentage (.518) and sophomore goalkeeper Laura Buehrig finds herself ranked second in goals against average (1.32), third in wins (13), tied for third in shutouts (five), fourth in saves (117), minutes in goal (2461:15), games started in goal (28) and winning percentage (.541) and fifth in games played in goal (28).
ABOUT IOWA STATE Iowa State boasts almost the exact same record on the season as Missouri at 6-3-2 and an identical 1-1 conference mark. The Cyclones have posted wins over Purdue, Iowa, South Dakota State, Colorado College, Creighton and Texas Tech, tied Mississippi State and Drake and lost to Indiana and Colorado. Last time out, Iowa State fell 4-0 to Colorado in Boulder.
Five players have scored at least two goals for the Cyclones in 2005, with sophomore midfielder Renee de St. Aubin leading the way with four. Sophomore goalie Joanna Haig allows 1.12 goals per game and has a .793 save percentage on the season.
MU vs. THE CYCLONES Missouri holds a 7-3 all-time record against the Cyclones. Last season, Missouri fell 2-0 to halt a three game-winning streak against Iowa State.
ABOUT NEBRASKA The Huskers are ranked No. 25 in this week's NSCAA/adidas national poll and have a 6-3 overall and 1-0 conference record on the season. On Sunday, Sept. 25, Nebraka's game at Texas Tech was postponed because of travel problems due to Hurricane Rita. On the year, the Huskers have picked up wins against Minnesota, Alabama-Birmingham, San Diego State, Rice, UC Irvine and Colorado and lost to Illinois, Colorado College and Purdue. On Friday, Sept. 23, the Huskers opened Big 12 play with a 2-1 victory over Colorado.
Junior forward Brittany Timko is the nation's second leading playmaker with 1.11 assists per game. Two players have seen significant minutes in goal for the Huskers this season. Freshman Jamie Klages has started five games and posts a 0.80 goals against average while junior Katie Wright has allowed 1.50 goals in her four starts.
MU vs. THE HUSKERS In the previous 13 meetings between the two teams, Missouri's only win over Nebraska came on a 3-2 victory in 2003. Last season, the Tigers fell to the 17-ranked Huskers 2-1 in double-overtime.