Sept. 15, 2006
MADISON, Wis. - A Tiger goal in the waning seconds of the first half energized the Missouri soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Wisconsin in the Wisconsin Soccer Classic Friday night in Madison, Wis. With the win, the Tigers are now 7-0-0 on the season while Wisconsin drops to 2-2-2.
After a first half where neither team could gain an advantage, senior Elyse Nikonchuk's goal with 19 seconds remaining in the opening frame helped the Tigers to dominate most of the final 45 minutes. Mizzou outshot the Badgers 12-3 in the second half after a narrow 4-3 lead in the first.
"Wisconsin was a very tough team and one of the best we've seen so far this season," said Missouri Head Coach Bryan Blitz. "The goal by Elyse (Nikonchuk) at the end of the first half helped get us going for the second half and our defense really held on after Wisconsin scored."
The Tigers missed a nice opportunity to open scoring in the 12th minute after sophomore Janelle Cordia floated a ball from half field to the top of the box. Fellow sophomore Ashley Hamblin tried to head the loose ball over Wisconsin's goalkeeper's head by the goalie recovered and caught the shot.
With less than a minute left in the first half, Mizzou earned a free kick from 30 yards out. Nikonchuk stepped up to the ball and unleashed a rocket that sailed into the upper netting for her second goal of the season and the game's opening goal.
Mizzou's late first half tally invigorated the Tigers as freshman Kristin Andrighetto added Missouri's second goal three minutes into the second half with a left-footed blast. Freshman Crystal Wagner played the ball up to redshirt-freshman Meghan Pfeiffer at the center line. Pfeiffer sent the ball to the left sideline, where Andrighetto collected the ball, dribbled toward goal, and took a shot from just inside the box. The goal was Andrighetto's third of the season and put Mizzou on top 2-0.
The Badgers cut the Tiger lead to 2-1 in the 62nd minute when Wisconsin capitalized on a free kick from the left sideline. Marissa Sarkesian headed home the Wisconsin score into the far post on Ann Eshun's free kick.
Missouri's defense stayed tough in the second half when Wisconsin increased its offensive pressure. With a Bagder running into the box with her eyes on goal, sophomore Lindsay McCoy sprinted in and cleared the ball.
Two minutes later, sophomore Ashley Hamblin one-timed a shot but the Badger goalie managed to kick away the shot from point-blank range. The Tigers kept up their attack but a 16-yard shot from freshman Michelle Collins flew just wide of the goal.
With six minutes left in the match, Mizzou almost utilized another free kick. The kick by senior Lauren Grice from four yards out on the right sideline soared on goal but the ball bounced off the crossbar. Nikonchuk tried the same shot in the flow of the game from 45 yards but the shot again struck the crossbar and Wisconsin's goalie was able to grab the rebound.
Missouri continues play in the Wisconsin Soccer Classic on Sunday, Sept. 17 with a 10:30 a.m. game against UW-Milwaukee. The Tigers then return home to Walton Stadium for a conference matchup with Nebraska on Friday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. and a non-conference contest against Illinois State on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 1 p.m.