March 19, 2006
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Missouri women's soccer team scored the game's first goal four minutes into the match and held on for a hard fought 2-1 victory over Memphis in the team's second game of the spring season Sunday morning at Walton Stadium. With the win, the Tigers improve to 1-1 on the spring docket.
The Tigers controlled the game from the opening whistle and got on the board in just the fourth minute when freshman Meghan Pfeiffer collected a ball just past midfield and passed up to fellow freshman Ashley Hamblin. With the defense collapsing on her, Hamblin dribbled into the box and threaded a pass to junior Aria Hudetz, who was in the left corner of the box. Hudetz one touched the ball then unleashed a blast past Memphis' goalkeeper and into the upper netting for a quick 1-0 Mizzou advantage.
Missouri continued to possess the ball with deft passing for much of the first half and outshot Memphis 8-5 but had trouble finding the back of the net.
In the 21st minute, a Memphis player got behind Missouri's defense, dribbled into the box and fired a shot beyond the outstretched fingers of Mizzou's sophomore goalie, Mallory Forst to tie the game at 1-1.
After a flurry of Memphis shots to start the second half, the Tigers just missed notching their second goal of the game in the in the 57th minute of play. Hamblin lobbed a perfect corner kick into the box that found the foot of junior Elyse Nikonchuk, who's shot sailed just high of the crossbar.
The game seesawed back and forth until Hudetz sent a pinpoint pass up to an oncoming Jennifer Nobis on the right wing. Nobis outran the defense and made a perfect ball fake around a Memphis defender before taking a shot from eight yards out that easily eluded the Memphis keeper for a 2-1 lead. With the assist and first half goal, Hudetz now has five points in Missouri's two spring games this season.
Forst made two saves in goal for the Tigers as the Tigers posted a commanding 11-3 advantage on shots on goal.
Missouri next travels to Maryland Heights, Mo., for a contest against Marquette at 1:30 p.m. CST, which finished the 2005 season ranked 14 in the nation. On April 11, the Tigers will face the full Canadian National Team at 7 p.m. at Walton Stadium.