Sept. 6, 2008
Berkeley, Calif. - Two first half goals powered No. 21 California (3-1-0) to a 3-0 victory over the No. 22 Missouri women's soccer team (1-2-0) on Saturday morning.
The Tigers started strong, nearly taking the lead in the 8th minute. After a good buildup in the Missouri midfield, freshman Kendra Collins' cross led to a low shot from inside the penalty box by senior Mo Redmond, forcing an early save by California goalkeeper Gina Pellegrini.
Cal then opened the scoring in the 19th minute on Lisa Kevorkian's team-best fifth goal of the season. Alex Morgan's shot from the left side was blocked by a sliding Kat Tarr, but the rebound fell to Cal's Valerie Barnes, whose pass across the goalmouth found an open Kevorkian. The forward's shot was partially stopped by Tigers' goalkeeper Tasha Dittamore but rolled across the goal line to give the Golden Bears a 1-0 lead.
Using the momentum to their advantage, Cal's lead then doubled in the 37th minute. After Dittamore made a diving save to her near post to thwart a Morgan attempt, Cal capitalized on the ensuing corner. After the cross was headed out by the Missouri defense, Katherine Daiss' well-driven ball back into the box was collected by Nikki Schrey, who made no mistake in finishing it from close range.
Missouri's best opportunity came in the 25th minute. Freshman Jessie Crabtree's shot was blocked by a Cal defender, but was followed up by Krista Kruse. The sophomore's strike had Pellegrini beaten but was denied by the crossbar.
After a defensive struggle for most of the second half, California extended their lead to 3-0 on Alex Morgan's fourth goal of the season in the 86th minute. Camellia Senemar's assist put Morgan through on a breakaway and she calmly slotted her shot into the right side netting.
California players and coaching staff honored Missouri head coach Bryan Blitz prior to the game for his team's support of California goalie Jordan Lafontaine-Kussman in last season's meeting between the two teams in Columbia. Lafontaine-Kussman battled, and eventually beat, lymphoma, and the Tigers wore pink uniforms in the 4-0 win as part of their "play for pink" promotion.
The Tigers will be back on Goldman Field again tomorrow at 12 pm (CT) as they take on Eastern Washington in a neutral site, non-conference match-up.