April 27, 2006

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Propelled by three first half goals, the Missouri women's soccer team ended its spring season on a high note with a 4-1 win over a Boys U-16 Club team Thursday night at Walton Stadium. With the win, the Tigers concluded spring play with a 3-2-1 record.

"The goal tonight was to end the spring on a good note," said Missouri head coach Bryan Blitz. "I thought we accomplished that tonight. We improved as a team and individuals improved throughout the course of the spring season. We were able to try new formations and play around with positions, which is what the spring is all about."

The Tigers' experience and skill was evident from the opening whistle, as Mizzou outshot its opponent 27-8 on the game and controlled possession of the ball for most of the match.

Missouri pressured the U-16 Boys defense early in often in the first half and received a corner in the 18th minute. Ashley Hamblin lofted a corner kick right that found the head of Kat Tarr right in front of the goal. Tarr headed the pass across the goal and into the goal for a quick 1-0 Tiger edge.

In the 36th minute, the Tigers struck again to increase their lead to 2-0. After gathering a ball at midfield, Meg Malm dribbled down the right sideline and into the 18-yard box. Her pass across the goal mouth found Jennifer Nobis, who easily one-timed the ball past the goalkeeper for the eventual game-winner.

Seven minutes later, Malm recorded a goal of her own on perfectly executed ball movement from the Tigers. Meghan Pffeifer received a pass from Mo Redmond, dribbled around a few defenders, and lofted a ball into the box. Malm gathered the pass, took a few dribbles and took a shot that found the back of the net.

Two minutes into the second half, the Boys U-16 Team got on the board to cut Mizzou's lead to 3-1. After snatching the ball away from a Mizzou defender at the top of the box, stepped around the Missouri defense and unleashed a shot from 12-yards out that eluded the hands of Tiger goalie Mallory Forst.

A header by Elyse Nikonchuck closed out scoring in the 66th minute to give the Tigers a 4-1 victory. Near the right sideline, Pffeifer sailed a perfect pass into the box that Nikonchuk easily headed into the back of the net.

Missouri will host its annual Alumni Event, which features current and former Tigers playing side-by-side in seven-v-seven games at 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 29 at Walton Stadium.