Sept. 8, 2006

Box Score

Photo Gallery

The 18th-ranked Missouri soccer team continued its fast start with another strong performance, this time in the form of a 3-0 victory over Northwestern State at Walton Stadium Friday night.

Missouri (5-0) notched its fifth shutout of the season and allowed just two shots. But from the opening whistle, the Tigers appeared poised to light up the scoreboard.

Sophomore MF Janelle Cordia took a slip pass from senior Elyse Nikonchuk 44 seconds into the contest and scored in the far corner to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. It marked the third-consecutive game the Columbia, Mo. native had reached the back of the net.

The early strike also marked the fastest goal this season and was the fourth time in five games this year that MU has scored in the first 45 minutes.

Unfortunately for the Mizzou faithful, that was the only score of the half for either side. The Tigers seemed to live in the Lady Demons' penalty area, racking up 26 shots, including six on goal.

Two in particular could have added to the Tigers lead. Kristin Andrighetto had a shot in the 36th minute hit the crossbar and come straight down behind NSU goalie Johnna Klohoker before it was cleared. Minutes later, Andrighetto's one-timer on a cross from Breanna Thornton from six yards seemed to jump off her foot and sail high over the goal.

NSU (3-3) managed just two possessions deep into MU territory in the period. The first resulted in their only shot of the half, coming from outside the corner of the penalty area, and a deep push by Julie Zavala into the box before MU's Crystal Wagner took the ball away.

The Tigers extended the lead when redshirt freshman Meghan Pfeiffer converted on a penalty kick at the 76:59 mark. Mizzou added an insurance goal 48 seconds later on sophomore Ashley Hamblin's one-timer from 17 yards out got past Johnna Klohoker. It was Hamblin's team-leading fifth goal of the season.

"I'm proud of them," head coach Bryan Blitz said. "They could have gotten frustrated easily but they came through. They stayed focused and that's what won us the game."

MU had 11 shots on goal - out of its single-game school-record 41 - and created numerous opportunities with 10 corner kicks - one shy of tying the school record.

Klohoker made seven saves for the Lady Demons, while Mallory Forst and Jessica Lewis combined for one save in net for the Tigers.

Missouri returns to action on Sunday when it welcomes Loyola-Chicago to Walton Stadium. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. CT.