Mizzou midfielder Krista Kruse scored the Tigers' second goal in their 3-0 win over Wisconsin-Milwaukee SundayMizzou midfielder Krista Kruse scored the Tigers' second goal in their 3-0 win over Wisconsin-Milwaukee Sunday
Soccer

Mizzou Splits First Two Spring Games

Sunday's Box Score:

http://mutigers.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/stats/2007-2008/exhib02.html

April 6, 2008

Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri women's soccer team started the spring season 1-1 after defeating the Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers, 3-0, Sunday (April 6) and falling to the Illinois Fighting Illini, 3-1, Saturday (April 5).

While he is pleased with his team's win, Tiger Head Coach Bryan Blitz wanted to remind fans that winning or losing in the spring is not a big concern.

"It's all about development," Blitz said about spring exhibitions. "We try people at different places...and the priority for us is teaching and getting better."

Among the position changes, usual defender Kat Tarr started the game in the forward spot. She took one shot on goal in 73 minutes. She would get help from her teammates, but it would take a while.

Sunday's game started off quietly, with neither team scoring a goal until the 84th minute. UWM's Helena Zbilut fouled Tiger forward Michelle Collins just outside the box, resulting in a Mizzou free kick. Kristin Andrighetto shot around the Panther wall and scored to make the score 1-0.

About one minute later, Mizzou's Krista Kruse scored her first goal of the spring after a shot by Alysha Bonnick was deflected by a Panther. Kruse kicked it past UWM keeper Leslie Deebach to increase Mizzou's lead to 2-0.

The Tigers scored their third goal in the 88th minute, as Taylor Hay, a recent transfer who is playing with the team this spring, gathered a free ball and slammed it into the back of the net.

Collins scored Mizzou's only goal in Saturday's, 3-1, loss to Illinois. The Tigers got on the board first in the game, scoring near the five minute mark, but Illinois would answer with three more to take the win.

The Tigers still have two spring matches remaining. Mizzou will play Minnesota next Saturday (April 12) in Kansas City. The game, scheduled for 1 p.m. will be held at the Kansas City Wizards training facility. Mizzou's last spring home game will take place April 19, as the Tigers host Loyola (Chicago) at noon.