Kat Tarr was named to the TopDrawerSoccer.com's Women's College Team of the WeekKat Tarr was named to the TopDrawerSoccer.com's Women's College Team of the Week
Soccer

Tigers Named to Weekly National Teams

Nov. 11, 2008

COLUMBIA, Mo - Two University of Missouri Tigers earned team of the week selections for their performances in last week's Big 12 Tournament, where Missouri went 2-0-1 to claim their first conference championship. Junior goalkeeper Tasha Dittamore was named by Soccer America and senior defender Kat Tarr was chosen to Top Drawer Soccer's best eleven.

Both players played every minute of the tournament for a stout Missouri defense that allowed just two goals in three games. After holding No. 9 Texas and Kansas to a lone goal each in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, Dittamore and Tarr shut out No. 10 Colorado in the 1-0 championship victory.

Dittamore, named the tournament's defensive MVP, recorded 11 saves in the three matches and made two critical stops in the semifinal penalty shootout over rival Kansas. The Granite City, Ill., native led the Big 12 in shutouts this year and has set single season school records in both shutouts, with nine, and victories with 15.

Tarr, one of five Tigers selected to the Big 12 All-Tournament Team, played a big part on both ends of the field. Against Texas, her free kick from Missouri's defensive half was flicked to sophomore striker Alysha Bonnick for the game-sealing third goal. Then in the semifinal, Tarr converted the first of four consecutive penalty kicks to tie the shootout at 1-1. Finally, in the championship, Tarr anchored the Tigers' backline as the squad earned their program-best 11th shutout on the season.

Tarr and Dittamore have been fixtures on the field for Missouri this season as they lead the team in minutes played, having played in over 93% of the team's total minutes.

The No. 10 Tigers will host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament this Friday and Sunday at Walton Stadium. Illinois takes on Memphis in the session opener at 4 p.m., followed by Missouri and Evansville at 7 p.m. The winners of each game will meet on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Tickets will be $4 for children and seniors, and $7 for adults. Both games on Friday are part of a single session.