Sept. 19, 2008

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COLUMBIA, Mo. - Juniors Michelle Collins and Bree Thornton tallied goals in the University of Missouri soccer team's 2-1 victory over Iowa on Friday night at Walton Stadium. The win was the fourth consecutive for the Tigers and improved their 2008 record to 5-2-0, while the Hawkeyes fell to 4-4-0.

The Tigers dominated early action and opened scoring in the fifth minute when freshman Kelsey Blincow sailed a high cross into the next from near the left sideline. Thornton got her head on the ball and sent a 16-yard shot past the Iowa goalkeeper for a quick 1-0 Mizzou advantage. The goal was the first of the season for Thornton and only the second first half goal of the year for Missouri.

After Mizzou commited a foul in their defense end in the 21st minute, Iowa's Alexandra Seydel sent a perfect free kick into the box to teammate Kelsey Shaw. The Hawkeye headed a shot on goal but Tiger goalie Tasha Dittamore made a diving stop to keep Missouri ahead.

In the 65th minute of play, Iowa's Keli McLaughlin got behind the Mizzou defense and was brought down in the box by Tiger senior Janelle Cordia for a Hawkeye penalty kick. Alexandra Seydel placed her shot to the lower left corner of the goal to tie the game at 1-1.

Eight minutes later, Collins scored her second goal of the season and the eventual game-winner when she corralled a pass from sophomore Krista Kruse, caught the Iowa keeper off her line and easily put a shot in the back of the net for a 2-1 Missouri lead.

Mizzou outshot Iowa 22-8 in the game, including a 10-3 advantage in shots on goal.

The Tigers begin conference play next weekend with road games in Ames, Iowa, against Iowa State on Friday, Sept. 26 and in Lincoln, Neb., against Nebraska on Sunday, Sept. 28.