Oct. 13, 2006
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COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Tigers return home to Walton Stadium this weekend for their final homestand of the 2006 campaign with conference games against Colorado on Friday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. and Kansas on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 1 p.m. Prior to Missouri's contest against the on Sunday, the Tigers will honor this year's four seniors for their contributions to the Mizzou soccer program in their final game at Walton Stadium.
Last time out The Tigers enter their final home weekend coming off two tough losses to Oklahoma foes last weekend. Mizzou started the Sooner State swing with a 3-2 defeat to Oklahoma on Friday, Oct. 6. The Sooners scored in the 18th minute and went ahead 2-0 in the 53rd.
Freshman Kristin Andrighetto got the Tigers on the board in the 68th minute with her fourth goal of the season but Oklahoma responded two minutes later to take a 3-1 lead. In the 80th minute, freshman Michelle Collins passed of the classmate Bianca Pritchett, who found the back of the net for her first career goal to cut the deficit to 3-2. Missouri could not convert its chances in the game's waning minutes as the Sooners held on for the win.
On Sunday against Oklahoma State, the Cowgirls scored on a sideline cross that floated over sophomore goalkeeper Mallory Forst's head and into the back of the net in the sixth minute. With 45 seconds remaining in the first half, Oklahoma State struck again to go on top 2-0. Over the course of the game, Missouri outshot the Cowgirls 17-11 and had a 7-2 corner kick advantage but could not manage a goal as the squad fell 2-0.
Sophomore Jessica Lewis played the second half in goal for the Tigers and stopped one shot to keep the Cowgirls scoreless in the final 45 minutes.
Not just another game
In addition to Senior Day, Sunday's game with Kansas is part of the Border Showdown, presented by Midwest Ford Dealers. Every athletic contest between the two schools counts toward the end of season point total. This Sunday's soccer game is only the second event of the 2006-07 school year, with Mizzou on top 1.5-0 thanks to a Tiger victory in volleyball on Oct. 4.
The two rivals has split the past Border Showdowns 2-2 in the four year history. Missouri took the title in 2002-03 and 2004-05 while Kansas came out ahead in 2003-04 and 2005-06.
Soccer great now MU Hall of Famer
Former Tiger great Nikki Thole was selected to the University of Missouri Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2006. Thole, the most decorated player in program history, is the first Tiger soccer player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The All-American tops the Mizzou recordbooks in a number of categories, including points (155) and goals (61).
The induction dinner will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 12 at the Courtyard by Marriott.
Now or never
Entering the fourth weekend of Big 12 play, the Tigers are the only league school without a conference win. With five games remaining in the regular season, all against Big 12 opponents, Mizzou must pick up wins in the coming weeks if the squad has a chance at qualifying for the Big 12 Tournament. The task is definitely possible but still daunting, as three of the five games are against teams ranked in the top-25.
Offense by committee
Before the season started, no one was sure who would carry the offensive load. Now 10 games into 2006, the answer is simple: everyone. Nine different Tigers have scored so far and six players have at least three goals. The statistic is especially important becuase Ashley Hamblin, the Tigers' leading scorer will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury. Last season, four Tigers scored at least three goals all year.
Let's get it started
In Mizzou's 14 games this year, the Tigers are a perfect 7-0 when the squad scores first. Missouri tallied wins over Iowa, Illinois, Northwestern, Minnesota, Northwestern State and Loyola-Chicago when the team found the back of the net first. Mizzou's only come from behind win so far was a 3-2 overtime victory against Illinois State.
Second half's the charm
Opponents have held Mizzou scoreless in the second half five times this season but all those games had similar results -- Tiger losses. Missouri could not convert in its scoring chances in the final 45 minutes against UW-Milwaukee, Nebraska, Texas Tech or Baylor as the squad lost all four games.
The only game Mizzou scored in the second half and still lost was Oklahoma's 3-2 win last weekend. Missouri scored both its goal in the second half but the Sooners came away with the win.
Quick goal
Sophomore Janelle Cordia's goal 44 seconds into Mizzou's 3-0 win over Northwestern State on Sept. 8 was the fastest goal scored in Missouri history. The previous record was 1:17, which former Tigers Amber Swinehart and Sarah Sallee both accomplished. Sallee set the previous record against Illinois on Sept. 12, 1999 while Swinehart repeated the feat against Oklahoma State on Oct. 14, 2002.
Shutout streak halted
The Tigers began the 2006 campaign with consecutive shutouts over Iowa, Illinois, Northwestern, Minnesota and Northwestern State before yielding two goals to Loyola-Chicago on Sunday, Sept. 10. The five consecutive shutouts set a new Tiger record.
Scouting No. 25 Colorado
Although the Buffaloes are only 1-3-1 in the Big 12, the squad's three losses are to the conferences top three teams -- Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and Texas. Overall, Colorado holds a 7-4-2 mark with wins over Alabama (4-0), Clemson (5-1), Mississippi (3-1), Utah (2-1), Denver (1-0), Oklahoma (2-1) and Wyoming (2-0).
The team is lead by freshman sensation Nikki Marshall, who has nine goals and two assists for 20 points. Sophomore Alex Cousins has nine points on three goals and three assists and sophomore Michelle Wenino has three goals and an assist.
Goalkeepers Kara Linder and Kirstin Radlinski have split time in the net for the Buffs. Linder posts a 6-2-1 record and a 1.11 goals against average while Radinski is 1-2-1 with a 1.18 goals against average.
Series Record: CU leads 7-6-1
Last Meeting: CU 3, MU 2 (2005)
Scouting Kansas
Coming into this weekend, Kansas is 7-6 overall and holds a 2-3 Big 12 record. The Jayhawks are coming off an impressive showing against No. 8 Texas A&M when the two teams remained scoreless in regulation but the Aggies scored in the 94th minute for the victory. Kansas has wins over Nebraska (1-0), Central Florida (2-0), Duke (4-3), Alabama (2-1), Saint Mary's (4-2), and Furman (3-0).
Senior Holly Gault paces the Jayhawks with 11 points on four goals and three assists while freshman Monica Dolinsky has 10 points on four goals and two assists. Goalie Julie Hanley has played every minute in goal for Kansas in 2006 and posts a 1.06 goals against average and a .720 save percentage.
Series Record: Kansas leads 7-5
Last Meeting: KU 3, MU 2 (2OT) (2005)
Tigers honored by Big 12
Freshman Kristin Andrighetto was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week on Tuesday, thanks to her game-winning goal against Wisconsin on Sept. 15. Andrighetto is the second Tiger this season to earn a Big 12 honor, after sophomore Ashley Hamblin was the Offensive Player of the Week on Aug. 29.
Hamblin garners national attention
Ashley Hamblin turned a lot of heads around the county after her three goal, two assist opening weekend against Iowa and No. 13 Illinois. For her effort, Hamblin was named the SoccerTimes.com National Player of the Week and earned spots on the Soccer Buzz Elite and Soccer American National teams of the week. Additionally, the Big 12 chose her as its Offensive Player of the Week.
Wagner named to national team of the week
Not to be outdone, freshman Crystal Wagner was named to the SoccerBuzz Elite Team of the Week last week for her help in Mizzou's shutout victories over Northwestern (4-0) and Minnesota (1-0). Wagner was a part of the Tiger defense that tied and eventually broke the team record for consecutive shutouts (five).
Mark your calendars
The Missouri soccer team will hold its banquet on December 9, 2006. Festivities will start at 6:30 p.m. while the silent auction will begain at 5:45 p.m.