Nov. 4, 2009

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San Antonio, Texas - The University of Missouri women's soccer team (13-5-3) advanced to the semifinals of the Big 12 Championship with a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory over Kansas (12-8-1, 4-7-0) on Wednesday night at the Blossom Soccer Complex in San Antonio. Senior Kristin Andrighetto scored twice for the Tigers and sophomore Jessie Crabtree added another as the Tigers' turned the tables following a 3-2 loss at Kansas in the regular season finale last Friday.

Kansas grabbed the lead in the 29th minute off an individual effort from striker Emily Cressy. After receiving a pass on the right sideline from fellow sophomore Jeannette Francia, the 2008 freshman All-American dribbled at the Tigers' backline before cutting inside and burying a shot underneath the crossbar from 15 yards out. It was Cressy's 12th goal of the year and third against the Tigers this season.

Missouri's offense, ranked eleventh in the nation entering the match, created chances throughout the first half but could not convert. Three times the Tigers beat Kansas goalkeeper Kat Liebetrau only to have shots turned away at the last second - twice on goalmouth clearances by Jayhawk defenders and once on a shot into the post by sophomore Kelsey Blincow.

The match opened up in the second half, beginning with a pair of goals inside the period's first three minutes. Missouri struck first, tying it up in the 47th minute on one of 16 corner kicks in the match. Andrighetto's service was headed out to Crabtree at the corner of the penalty area and the midfielder blasted a half volley into the upper 90 for her fifth goal of the season.

Kansas regained the advantage 45 seconds later as they capitalized on a corner kick of their own, the Jayhawks' first of the match. Senior midfielder Monica Delinsky delivered a service just in front of the goalline where Kim Boyer was perfectly positioned for an uncontested header to earn her first goal of the season.

The scoring spree continued in the 57th minute as Andrighetto opened her scoring account on the night. The senior striker got on the end of a header from 2009 Big 12 Defender of the Year Crystal Wagner and fired a shot from 20 yards out that dipped over Liebetrau to tie the game at 2-2.

With the momentum, Missouri pushed for their first lead of the match in the game's final 30 minutes en route to outshooting Kansas 23-5 in the second half but could not break the deadlock. Senior Michelle Collins' shot in the 71st minute was inches from going in but hit the near post and came out. Then with just over ten minutes to play, Liebetrau made a pair of strong saves to preserve the tie, first getting low on a shot by Crabtree and then turning away the follow-up effort by Andrighetto.

For the second year in a row the rivals headed to overtime at the Big 12 Championship, but this season Missouri would not need penalty kicks to advance. Just over five minutes into the first overtime period, Andrighetto scored the game-winning goal on a shot from 25 yards out. The three-time All-Big 12 first team selection dropped to her knees in celebration before being mobbed by teammates after scoring her team-best 10th goal of the season.

Andrighetto's two-goal performance marked a historic night. The Pleasant Hill, Calif. native moved into third place all-time in the Missouri career record books with 94 points and set a new Tigers' single season record with 110 shots this year.

Senior goalkeeper Tasha Dittamore made three saves in the win and also moved up the record books, becoming the all-time minutes leader among Missouri goalkeepers and matching the mark for most games started in goal at 54.

Missouri advances to play #5-seed Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship semifinals on Friday at 5:30 p.m. in San Antonio after the Cowgirls knocked off Nebraska 3-0 earlier in the day.