Oct. 24, 2007
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Columbia, Mo. -
The 15th-ranked University of Missouri women's soccer team (11-4-0, 5-2-0 Big 12) is set to host the Iowa State Cyclones (7-5-3, 3-3-1 Big 12) and the Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-8-3, 1-6-0 Big 12) this weekend. Mizzou will face the Cyclones Friday (Oct. 26) at 6:30 p.m. and will close out the regular season home schedule Sunday (Oct. 28) against the Huskers at 1 p.m.
Mizzou Soccer Goes Green!
The Mizzou soccer program encourages fans to bring recyclable electronic items to Sunday's contest against Nebraska to help keep the environment green. Fans who bring selected items will get into the game for free! There will also be a free soccer clinic for children after the game. Visit MUTigers.com for more information.
Sunday is Senior Day
Sunday (Oct. 28) the Tigers will honor seniors Laura Buehrig and Kurt Austin. Buehrig played with the Tigers in 2004 and 2005 before an injury ended her career prematurely. She is currently a Student Assistant Coach for the Tigers. Austin is the team's manager. The Tigers do not have any active seniors on their roster.
On the Internet...and Radio
Columbia's KCOU radio will broadcast both games over the airwaves and provide commentary for Mizzou All-Access' video coverage on MUTigers.com. Live stats will also be available at MUTigers.com.
Tigers Slip in National, Regional Rankings
The Tigers slid a bit in the national polls after splitting two games last weekend. Last Friday (Oct. 19) in Austin, Texas, then-No. 7 Texas beat then-No. 12 Mizzou, 3-2, in overtime. The Tigers bounced back Sunday (Oct. 21) in Boulder, Colo., with a, 2-0, victory over the un-ranked Buffaloes. After splitting the weekend's games, the Tigers dropped to 15th from 12th in both the Soccer America the SoccerTimes.com polls. Mizzou is 16th in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas poll, and 17th in the Soccer Buzz poll. The Tigers are in fourth in both the NSCAA/adidas and Soccer Buzz Central Region rankings. Iowa State and Nebraska are not ranked in any national or regional polls.
Big 12 Title in Reach?
The Tigers currently sit behind 2nd-ranked Texas A&M for the top spot in the league. To move into first place, A&M would have to lose one or both of their two remaining conference games. If the Aggies lose both, the Tigers would have to win at least two of their last three. If A&M wins both, Mizzou has to win all three. Even if Mizzou moved into first place, they would have to watch out for No. 8 Texas, who has 14 points, and could finish with as many as 23 if they win their last three games. In remaining conference action, A&M is at home against Texas Tech Sunday (Oct. 28) and at home against Baylor (Nov. 2), while the Tigers have Iowa State Friday (Oct. 26), Nebraska Sunday (Oct. 28) and Kansas next Friday (Nov. 2). The Aggies play non-conference foe Wisconsin-Milwaukee Friday (Nov. 26).
One Point From Big 12 Championships
The Tigers are second in the conference with 15 points, behind only the Texas A&M Aggies, who have only lost one conference game, to Mizzou, Sept. 28. MU needs only one more point to secure a spot in the Big 12 Championships, as Oklahoma, currently the league's 9th place team, has seven points with three games remaining. The Tigers could also secure their berth with an Oklahoma loss or tie. OU can finish with as many as 16 points, and Mizzou defeated the Sooners on Oct. 12, giving them a tiebreaker if necessary. Only the league's top eight teams make the tournament, something the Tigers fell short of last season.
Team Notes:
All statistical totals and conference as well as national rankings include games through last Sunday only (Oct. 21).
Tigers Break Offensive Record
The Mizzou offense has scored at least one goal in 17 consecutive games, dating back to the 2006 season, a new program record. The previous record was 16, set in the 1999 season. No Mizzou team has played the entire season without getting shut out.
Tigers Earn Record Fifth Road Win of Season
Mizzou's win over Colorado Sunday (Oct. 21) was a historic one, as it was the team's fifth road win of the season, which breaks a program record. Both the 1999 and 2004 teams won four road games. Mizzou has won three conference road games for the first time since 2004.
...Fifth Big 12 Win Nears Record
The 2007 team is also trying to break a program record for conference victories. The 1999 team set the record for Big 12 wins, with six. The Tigers have earned five conference victories six times in program history, including this season's total.
Blitz Earns Sixth 11-Win Season
Tiger Head Coach Bryan Blitz earned his sixth 11-win season with the team's win over Colorado (Oct. 21). The Tigers have earned 11 wins or more in 2003 (12), 2002 (11), 2001 (13), 1999 (14) and 1998 (11).
Tiger Defense Nears Shutout Records
This year's Tiger team is one shutout away from tying the 2005 team for the program record of seven shutouts. Mizzou's three conference shutouts are the most since 2001. Both the 2001 and 2000 teams shut out three conference opponents. The 1999 team holds the record for conference shutouts with four. The Tiger defense is doing this while only playing three defenders as part of their 1-3-4-3 formation.
Don't Want to Jinx It, But...
The Tigers have only given up 19 goals this season, which is still well behind the program record for fewest goals allowed in a season (27). The current squad's 1.27 goals against average is lower than the 2005 team's record 1.30 goals against average. Offensively, the current Tiger team is also ahead of the program record in goals per game. Mizzou is scoring an average of 2.87 goals per game, which leads the conference and is ahead of the 2.7 gpg average from the 1999 team. With an average of 8.40 points per game, the current squad is also ahead of the 1999 team, that holds the record for points per game (7.43).
Tiger Quick Notes
1-Mallory Forst-6-3 on season in goal ... Earned three shutouts ... Also plays forward... Four assists on season.
2-Bree Thornton-Tore ACL; out for the reminder of the year. Season: Seven starts in seven games, one assist
3-Meghan Pfeiffer-Started all 15 games at midfielder ... One goal and one assist on the year.
4-Lindsay McCoy-Started all 15 games on the back line ... Earned four assists on season.
5-Kari Adam- Three goals on season ... Only freshman in Mizzou history to score two goals in a Big 12 game, as she scored two against Texas A&M (Sept. 28)... Named Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Week for her performance against the Aggies.
7-Katya Hessel-Two goals, three assists ... Played in all 15 games ... Third on team with 39 shots.
8-Crystal Wagner-Started all 15 on defense ... Earned an assist on Adam goal vs. A&M.
9-Krista Kruse-Started three games this season ... Has one goal and one assist on season
11-Alysha Bonnick-Tied for second on team with nine goals ... Also has six assists for a total of 24 points.
12-Mo Redmond-Two goals and five assists on season ... Four were game-winning assists
13-Janelle Cordia-Played in all 15 games ... Scored first goal of season Friday (Oct. 19) against Texas ... One assist from midfield position this year.
14-Michelle Collins-Tied for second on team with nine goals ... Tied for fourth on team with four assists
15-Tasha Dittamore-Came into the game after halftime against Texas (Oct. 19) and started Sunday (Oct. 21) against Colorado, saving one shot for her third shutout.
16-Kristin Andrighetto-Leads team with 11 goals and seven assists.
17-Caitlin Linas-Has played in 13 games as a defender ... Played a season-high 48 minutes in Mizzou's win against Texas Tech (Oct. 5).
18-Brittany Hopkins-Out for season (ACL) ... Played in 11 games, started three.
19-Kat Tarr-defender has started all 15 games ... Leads team in minutes played (1342 of 1378) ... Tied for fourth on team with four goals.
20-Ashley Hamblin-played in all 15 games ... Dished out two assists on the year ... Has taken 16 shots.
22-Kelsey Stokes-Started first game of the season Sunday (Oct. 21) ... Played 36 minutes in the game... Played in all 15 games ... Has taken five shots, including two on goal.
23-Emily Zaler-Mizzou's third goalkeeper is gaining experience in practice after transferring from Oregon.
More Tiger Notes
Mizzou's Offense Ranked Seventh
The Tigers have scored 43 goals in 15 games, giving them a 2.87 goals per game average, which ranks them seventh, nationally.
Andrighetto in Top 20 Nationally
Tiger sophomore Kristin Andrighetto is 14th nationally with a 1.93 points per game average. She sits in 18th in goals per game, with a 0.733 gpg average, and 41st in assists per game, with a 0.47 apg average.
In the Conference?...
Andrighetto's 1.93 points per game average puts in her in second place in the Big 12, behind Ashlee Pistorius, who has a gaudy 2.50 points per game average. Andrighetto is behind Pistorius in the goals per game category, as well. Pistorius has scored 17 in 16 games, a 1.06 goals per game average, while Andrighetto has 11 in 15 games, a 0.733 average. She is tied for first in the conference with Kasey Langdon of Oklahoma State and Megan Sherrell of Baylor with seven total assists on the season.
Bonnick and Collins Right Behind Her
Tiger freshman Alysha Bonnick has 24 points on the year, which puts her in fourth in the conference. Collins is just two points behind the freshman from Canada, with 22, which puts her in sixth place in the conference. The pair is tied for third in goals scored (nine) with Niki Arlitt of Texas and Sherrell of Baylor.
Shots On Goal
Bonnick has shot 24 times, 18 of them on goal, which gives her a .750 shot on goal percentage. That number puts her in second place on Mizzou's season records list. The season record is .818 by Shea Swoboda, set in 2003.
Andrighetto Moving Up Season, Career Leader Boards
Andrighetto's 29 points currently ties her for eighth in the points scored in a season category, with Nikki Thole, who earned 29 in 2000. Thole has the all-time record, which is 55, set in 1999. Andrighetto's next point will move her into a tie with Jennifer Nobis and Adriene Davis, who each earned 30 in 2005 and '02, respectively. In the goals category, she currently sits in seventh with 11 so far this season. Davis and Amber Swinehart are tied for fifth, with 12.
Game Winners...
Bonnick's goal Friday (Oct. 12) in Mizzou's 3-0 win over Oklahoma was her fifth game-winner, giving her the program record for game-winning goals in a season by a freshman. Bonnick also leads the Big 12 in game-winning goals. Midfielder Mo Redmond's assist was her fourth of the season. All four have been game-winning assists. She is one behind the program record for game-winning passes in a season, and she is tied with three other Tigers in sixth place on the career list. Andrighetto has scored three game-winning goals this season, giving her six for her career, which ties her for fifth on Mizzou's all-time list.
Injury Report
Tiger midfielder Brittany Hopkins injured her knee in Mizzou's win against Oklahoma (Oct. 12). She will miss the rest of the season. Defender Crystal Wagner injured her nose in that game, and will play with a mask the rest of the season. Tiger midfielder Bree Thornton is out for the year after she tore her ACL in her left knee against California on Sept. 21. Krista Kruse broke her nose earlier in the season, but she is back, and Tasha Dittamore is also healthy after missing a few games.
Cyclone Warning
The Tigers will face Iowa State Friday (Oct. 26) at 6:30 p.m. The Cyclones are 7-5-3 overall and 3-3-1 in the Big 12. Their three conference wins, and one tie, gives them 10 points in the conference standings, putting them in a tie for fifth place with Oklahoma State. They are not ranked in the national or Central Division rankings. They got off to a hot start in the conference earlier in the season, shutting out then-No. 16 Oklahoma State and Oklahoma (Sept. 28, 30) to start the year 2-0. They tied then-No. 3 Texas, 1-1, Oct. 5, before losing their next three conference games. Last Sunday (Oct. 21), ISU beat Baylor, 3-1, to get back on track. After Friday night's game against the Tigers, Iowa State will play Kansas in Lawrence Sunday (Oct. 28) and Nebraska in Lincoln next Friday (Nov. 2).
Mizzou Offense is Unleashed!
The Tigers are seventh in goals per game, nationally, with a 2.87 goals per game average. That number tops the conference. The Cyclones will try to slow Mizzou down with their fourth-ranked defense in the conference. ISU has only given up 14 goals in 15 games, less than one a game. But the Tigers will be the highest-ranked offense the Cyclones have, and likely will, face this regular season. Mizzou's three leading scorers, Andrighetto, Bonnick and Collins, as well as every other Mizzou forward, midfielder and defender, are ready to add to Mizzou's gaudy numbers at any time. The Tigers use three forwards and four midfielders.
Iowa State's Offense against the Mizzou D
Mizzou's formation of three forwards and four midfielders leaves just three positions open for defenders, one less than a traditional formation. But the Tiger defense has been up to the challenge, shutting out six opponents so far this season, and keeping the opponents chances to a minimum. In Mizzou's last game Sunday (Oct. 21) against Colorado, the Buffaloes only took one shot on goal. The Tigers have given up 19 goals in 15 games, tying them for seventh in the conference with Colorado, who also has given up 19. Iowa State has scored 20 goals in 15 games, which puts them in sixth place in the league. They do not have an individual in the top 10 in any Big 12 category. Sophomore midfielder Elise Reid leads the team with five goals. She added an assist to give her a team-high 11 points. Senior forward Erin Witte has scored three goals and dished out three assists, putting her in second place on the team with nine points.
Goalkeepers
Head Coach Bryan Blitz has used two goalkeepers this season, rotating between sophomore transfer Tasha Dittamore and junior returner Mallory Forst. Each keeper has earned three shutouts, with Dittamore earning the most recent last Sunday (Oct. 21) against Colorado. Dittamore started that game, and made a crucial save in the second half to keep the Buffaloes off the scoreboard. She played the second half and overtime last Friday (Oct. 19) in Mizzou's overtime loss to then-No. 7 Texas, after Forst was lifted at halftime. Dittamore boasts a 5-1 record, while Forst is 6-3. Interestingly, both keepers can play the forward position when they are not in goal. The player going in at forward will change out of their goalkeeper uniform and put on the No. 10 jersey and shorts. Iowa State's Ann Gleason, a sophomore from Stillwater, Minn., has started all of the team's games since she arrived in Ames in 2006. She has a 13-19-3 career record, going 7-5-3 this season. She boasts an .854 save percentage, good for second in the Big 12. She has made 82 saves, also second in the conference. She is second with five shutouts this season, but her 0.88 goals against average ranks sixth in the league.
Series Notes
The Tigers lead the all-time series, 8-3-1, after winning their contest last season in Ames, a 2-1, double overtime classic. Mizzou leads, 4-1, in Columbia, where the Cyclones have not won since 2000. In fact, Iowa State's one goal in their 1-0 win in Columbia that season was the last goal they scored at Walton Stadium.
Iowa State is in ... Iowa?
As the University's name suggests, Iowa State is indeed located in Iowa, but you wouldn't guess it by looking at the Cyclone roster. ISU only has five players from the Hawkeye State. Texas leads all states represented on the Iowa State roster, with eight. In case you're wondering, the Tigers have five players from Missouri, in addition to one from the Kansas side of the Kansas City area and two from the St. Louis Metro-East area in Illinois.
Sunday's Opponent: Nebraska
The Huskers were selected to finish sixth in the preseason coaches poll, but as the season winds down, they are finding themselves a long way from the predicted spot. Going into their next game against Kansas Friday (Oct. 26), they sit in last place in the Big 12. One potential reason; the injury of preseason All-Big 12 forward Aysha Jamani, who according to Huskers.com, injured her Achilles tendon in practice Oct. 3 and was forced to miss the remainder of the season. Jamani was there to help the Huskers win their first conference game, against Oklahoma Sept. 28, but that is the only conference win the Huskers have earned so far, putting them in last place in the league with three points. The best the Huskers can do is 4-6 in the league, a .400 conference winning percentage, which would still be their worst conference record in program history. Last season, they went 4-5-1, a .450 winning percentage, which was their worst season in program history to that point. If they lose their game against Kansas Friday (Oct. 26) they will be statistically eliminated from the Big 12 Championships. It would be the first year in their program's history that they would not qualify for the conference tournament.
Nebraska's Offense
The Huskers have scored 21 goals in 16 games, tying them with Oklahoma for sixth in the conference in the goals scored category. Sophomore forward Shay Powell leads the team with four goals, while junior Sari Raber leads the squad with nine points (3g, 3a). Jamani started the first ten games of the season before her injury, and scored one goal. After her injury, the Huskers went 1-5 in the six games she has missed so far, with their only win coming against non-conference opponent Lamar (Oct. 12).
Husker D
Nebraska has given up 25 goals in 16 games, putting them just behind the Tigers in ninth place in the conference. They have earned four shutouts, but have given up eight goals in their last two games. Last Friday (Oct. 19) Baylor beat the Huskers, 4-1, and Sunday (Oct. 21) then-No. 3 Texas A&M defeated Nebraska by the same 4-1 score.
Husker Goalkeeper
Jessica Mills has started all 16 games for Nebraska, earning a 4-8-3 record with three shutouts. She is fifth in the conference with 67 saves, but 10th with a .744 save percentage and 10th with 23 goals allowed all season.
Series Notes
Nebraska leads the all-time series, 13-2, after shutting out the Tigers in 2005 and '06. Mizzou's only two wins in the series came in 2003 and '04. Nebraska leads, 5-1, in Columbia.
UP NEXT:
After Mizzou's games this weekend, the Tigers will travel to Lawrence, Kan., next Friday (Nov. 2) to finish the conference schedule against Kansas at 3 p.m.