Aug. 27, 2007
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Columbia, Mo. -
Season Opener:
Mizzou at (20) Illinois
Fri. Aug. 31
7 p.m.
Illinois Soccer Stadium
Champaign, Ill.
Home Opener
Western Michigan at Mizzou
Sun. Sept. 2
1 p.m.
Walton Stadium
Columbia, Mo.
OPEN IT UP!
The University of Missouri women's soccer team ventures into the 2007 regular season this weekend when they travel to Champaign, Ill. for an early-season battle against 20th-ranked Illinois, before they open their home schedule Sunday against Western Michigan.
So Far
The Tigers went 1-0-1 in the preseason, defeating Indiana, 5-0, Tuesday Aug. 21 in Columbia, and tying Saint Louis, 1-1, on the road last Sunday (Aug. 26). The 1-1 tie might not look too exciting on paper or on your computer screen, but the fight the Tigers showed in the game was impressive. SLU scored their first goal in the first minute of the second half, on a miss-hit cross from about 20 yards out. The score gave the Billikens a 1-0 lead, and that held up until very late in the game. In the 87th minute, Tiger Freshman Alysha Bonnick took a pass from Kristin Andrighetto and snuck it into the goal from about four yards out. Although the game ended at 1-1, Mizzou still walked away excited and takes that momentum into Friday night's match against the Illini.
Upcoming Opponents
No. 20 Illinois
Speaking of Illinois, the Illini are ranked 20th in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) preseason poll. They are also ranked 17th in the Soccer Buzz national preseason poll, and second in the Soccer Buzz Great Lakes region poll. Soccer America ranked them 18th in their preseason poll, while Soccer Times gave U of I their highest ranking, 13th. Last season, the Illini finished second in the Big Ten with an 8-2 conference record. They had a 16-8 overall record. The conference named Ella Masar the Offensive Player of the Year, Emily Zurrer the Co-Defensive Player of the Year and Chichi Nweke the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. All three players return to lead the team this season. The Illini had a solid preseason, defeating a pair of Horizon League teams, Butler (Aug. 24) and Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Aug. 26) by 1-0 scores.
Series
Mizzou takes a 3-2 series lead against the Illini into their game in Champaign. The Tigers upset then-No. 13 Illinois, 5-0, in the Tiger Invitational last August behind two goals and an assist from forward Ashley Hamblin. The win was a big one for the Tigers in their early season winning streak. The win gave them a 2-0 record and a lot of momentum. The Illini won the last meeting in Champaign, 4-1, Aug. 29, 2004.
All-Time Series
Mizzou Leads 3-2
10/30/98 L 2-1 Columbia
9/12/99 W 3-2 Champaign
8/31/02 W 2-1 (2OT) Columbia
8/29/04 L 4-1 Champaign
8/27/06 W 5-0 Columbia
Western Michigan
The WMU Broncos finished last season 3-15-1 and are picked to finish last (12th) in the Mid-American Conference in 2007. Bronco fans will point to their three seniors and their top returning goal-scorer from the past two years, Thalia Playford, to turn things around this season. The Broncos lost their only preseason game, 4-0, to Michigan State Sunday (Aug. 26). They will play at Missouri State in Springfield Friday (Aug. 31). This is the Tigers first meeting against the Broncos.
Tiger Notes
Freshman Fury
Tiger youngster Alysha Bonnick is not waiting until the first official game to make her entrance into college soccer...she has already scored two goals, which lead the team in the preseason. Although they do not count in the official stats, the early goals have sent a message to fans, coaches and opposing teams that she means business. The North Grower, Ontario native was in the Canada U-17 National Team Pool and made the Soccer Buzz Top International Recruit list as a Tiger signee earlier this year.
Shoot-out
If you allow me to combine the two preseason games, I will tell you the Tigers out-shot their opponents 40-15, outscoring them 6-1. The Mizzou attack has been strong, and the defense, midfield and goalkeepers have kept the ball out of the Tigers' half of the field.
Solid Anchors
As mentioned above, there are many hands in the Tigers' impressive shot differential, but the three that come to mind on the defensive end, juniors Kat Tarr and Lindsay McCoy, and sophomore Crystal Wagner have been solid protectors of Mizzou's goal. The trio played all 90 minutes of Sunday's exhibition tie against Saint Louis, and most of the win over Indiana.
Who's In Goal?
The Tigers have a bit of a dilemma...they have two goalkeepers who had successful seasons in Division I soccer last year, and are both good enough to start for Mizzou. Last season, Mallory Forst recorded four shutouts in her first four collegiate starts. She helped the defense set a new Missouri record with five-consecutive shutouts to start the year. She finished the season with 54 saves and a 1.50 goals against average. She played the second half of Tuesday's game, and didn't allow a goal. The versatile junior played 21 minutes Sunday as a forward. Sophomore transfer Tasha Dittamore played the first half of the Indiana game and the entire SLU match. She gave up one goal in the game and a half, SLU's miss-hit cross at the beginning of the second half Sunday. The transfer from Dayton University played seven games for the Flyers last season, earning 5-2 record, including two shutouts. She only gave up six goals all year.
Mo in the Middle
The Tiger midfielders also had a solid preseason, as they had a big hand in keeping the ball out of the Tigers' end and limiting opponents' shots. Besides limiting shots, Mizzou midfielder Mo Redmond also took a few, and one went in! Redmond kicked and headed eight balls toward the goal, including one that made it past the Indiana goalkeeper in Tuesday's exhibition.
Hamblin in Action
Tiger junior Ashley Hamblin is back after an injury to try to continue the success she was enjoying before her injury. Despite only playing in nine games last season, Hamblin led the team with 15 points (5G, 5A). In the Tigers' two preseason games, Hamblin got off one shot, playing a combined 75 minutes of action.
Tigers Return Most of their Scoring
Mizzou returns seven of its top eight scorers from 2006, including leading goal scorer, Kristin Andrighetto, who notched six last season. Also returning beside Hamblin, Bree Thornton, who finished tied for second in points with 13, and tied for second with five goals. Janelle Cordia scored four goals and added an assist, and Meghan Pfeiffer, Mo Redmond and Michelle Collins also helped the Tigers score some goals. Although the preseason stats do not count, Cordia, Andrighetto and Redmond each scored Tuesday night in the Tigers' first exhibition game.
Preseason Picks
The Big 12 coaches picked Mizzou to finish 8th out of 11 teams, which is higher than they finished last season (10th) but still below where the team wants to be. The Tigers are ranked 13th in the preseason Soccer Buzz Central Region poll,
Tigers in the WPSL
Several Tigers completed successful seasons for the St. Louis-based River Cities Futbol Club of the Women's Professional Soccer League over the summer. Highlighting the season, Kat Tarr and Katya Hessel earned honors throughout the summer. Tarr was named to the WPSL Team of the Week for the week of June 27th, while, Hessel received honorable mention recognition for the week of June 8. Hessel scored three goals and added one assist in six games for RCFC over the summer season. Meghan Pfeiffer, Ashley Hamblin, Janelle Cordia and Tasha Dittamore also played for RCFC.