Oct. 30, 2009

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Lawrence, Kan. - The University of Missouri women's soccer team (12-5-3, 7-1-2) suffered their first loss of conference play in their regular season finale on Friday, dropping a 3-2 decision on the road against rival Kansas (12-7-1, 4-6-0). The defeat snaps a 10-game unbeaten streak as the Tigers now enter postseason play as the No. 1 seed in next week's Big 12 Tournament, courtesy of their finish atop the Big 12 regular season standings.

Less than a minute into the match, the Tigers grabbed an early lead as junior forward Alysha Bonnick and senior striker Kristin Andrighetto combined to beat the Jayhawk defense. The Ontario, Canada native played the ball out wide to Andrighetto who dribbled to the endline and returned a pass to Bonnick for a first-time finish to the near post. It was Bonnick's seventh of the season, second most among Tiger players this season.

Kansas equalized in the 22nd minute as senior midfielder Monica Delinsky assumed the role of playmaker and slotted a throughball to redshirt-sophomore Emily Cressy to run onto down the heart of the Missouri defense. The 2008 Freshman All-American calmly placed her shot to the right of Tigers' goalkeeper Tasha Dittamore.

The Jayhawks used the momentum to their advantage and grabbed a 2-1 lead in the 37th minute. Freshman Shelby Williamson found an abundance of space in her central midfield position and dribbled to the top of the box before firing a low shot past a diving Dittamore and into the side netting for her seventh goal of the season. The assist on the goal went to fellow Kansas freshman Sarah Robbins.

The efficient Jayhawk attack, scoring on their only two shots on goal in the first half, powered Kansas to a 2-1 halftime lead that they would not relinquish. It marked the first time the Tigers had trailed at the break in eight games, dating back to Texas on October 2nd.

Kansas stretched their lead to 3-1 in the 77th minute on a loose ball in the Missouri box. Cressy fought through the scramble to bury a shot from six yards out for her second of the game and team-best 11th of the season.

Missouri refused to go down quietly as six minutes later the Tigers pulled one back on a goal by Michelle Collins. The senior striker pounced on a save spilled by Kansas goalkeeper Kat Liebetrau for her seventh of the year from close range.

The Tigers' offense finished with a 16-14 lead in shots and 6-2 advantage in corners. Dittamore, reigning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week, made two saves in the loss.

The Tigers will enter the 2009 Big 12 Championship as the tournament's No. 1 seed and will play at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday in San Antonio, Texas against Kansas.