Oct. 6, 2010
Game 10: Missouri (4-5-2, 2-1-0) vs. Colorado (5-6-1, 1-2-1)
Friday, October 8; 4:00 p.m. MTPrentup Field; Boulder, Colo.
Game 11: Missouri (4-5-2, 2-1-0) vs. Nebraska (9-4-0, 2-2-0)
Sunday, October 3; 1:00 p.m.Nebraska Soccer Field; Lincoln, Neb.
Listen: http://krnu.unl.edu/
Live Stats: GameTracker on mutigers.com
Interact: Blog on mutigers.com
LAST TIME OUT
The Tigers hosted No. 7 Oklahoma State and Oklahoma for their first weekend of back-to-back conference play. After falling to OSU 3-1 on Friday, Mizzou came back to top the Sooners 2-1. Alysha Bonnick scored both goals for the Tigers in the last five minutes of the game. The second goal marks the 13th game-winning goal of Bonnick's career, earning her the all-time record for career game-winning goals in Missouri history.
CHECKING OUT COLORADO
The Buffs were on the road for a weekend of Big 12 match-ups last week, facing Texas Tech and Baylor. Colorado dropped 1-0 to both teams, falling to 1-2-1 in Big 12 play. The team is 5-6-1 overall. The Buffs topped No. 10 Texas A&M 2-1 to bring them their first conference win. The Buffs are coming into the match off of three straight scoreless games. Colorado tied Texas 0-0 in their second conference game.
SCOUTING THE HUSKERS
Nebraska is coming off of a 5-4 overtime win over Texas Tech in Lubbock last weekend. Freshman Ari Romero headed in the game-winner for the Huskers in the 92nd minute of play. Before heading to Texas Tech, Nebraska dropped 2-1 to Baylor last Friday. Sophomore Morgan Marlborough scored her 11th goal of the season to put her at the top of the conference. After Sunday's game, Marlborough secured the top spot in the conference with 12 goals on the season. Romero was recognized for her game-winning goal by the conference this week, earning the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week title. She is the fourth Husker to earn Big 12 weekly honors this season.
SERIES HISTORY
Missouri and Colorado have faced off nineteen times in program history, with a record of 12-6-1 against the team. The Tigers have topped the buffs in each of the last five match-ups. Last year, Mizzou sunk an OT goal to beat the Buffs 1-0. Alysha Bonnick netted the goal for Missouri, earning her record-tying 12th career game-winning goal. Keeper Tasha Dittamore also earned her 15th career shutout against Colorado, putting her on the top of the record books for most career shutouts.
The Tigers finished last year's meeting with a 5-0 shutout over the Nebraska that earned them the Big 12 Regular Season Title. Alysha Bonnick tallied two goals for MU, and Michelle Collins scored the game-winner for Missouri. Despite the victory, Mizzou is 3-15-0 in program history against the Huskers.
MIZZOU TO APPEAR ON ESPNU
Mizzou Soccer is scheduled to appear on ESPNU in two weeks when the Tigers host Texas A&M at Walton Stadium in Columbia. Game time is set for 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 17. The game will also mark "Adopt-a-Player Night" for the Tigers. Fans are encouraged to bring signs, posters and any other items in support of their favorite players. Signs must be 2' x 3', and fans who bring them will receive free admission. The soccer team will be available for autographs at the end of the game, and Truman the Tiger will be there to cheer on Mizzou soccer as well. Mizzou will honor it's senior players in a special ceremony during the game. Friday, Oct. 15 will be the annual "Play for Pink" game, in which the tigers will support the quest for a cure for breast cancer by wearing pink jerseys and offering $3 admission to fans wearing pink. All proceeds will go to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Members of the Truman club and local scout troops under the age of 13 will be admitted to both games of the weekend free of charge, and parents will receive $2 admission. Staff members of the local hospital will also be admitted to both games for only $2 with proper identification. Sunday, Oct. 17 will also mark Youth Club Day and the Sunday Spirit Special. Local religious groups can enter the game for only $2, and any youth wearing their team jersey can get into the Mizzou soccer game for free. Parents and guests will receive $2 admission.
BONNICK IN THE BIG 12
Senior co-captain Alysha Bonnick stepped up for the Tigers earning a victory over Oklahoma in the last five minutes of the game. She is holding steady in the league this week's Big 12 rankings. The forward from North Gower, Ontario is ranked No. 4 in the Big 12 conference for goals per game (.64) and goals (7). She sits at No. 5 in the category shots per game (3.36) and holds the No. 6 spot in points (15) and points per game (1.36). In the category of shots, Bonnick is ranked 10th with 37 so far on the season. Bonnick leads the Tigers in points, goals, shots and shots on goal. In the record books, Bonnick is the third-highest scorer in program history with 37 career goals so far, she sits just below Kristin Andrighetto (38) and Nikki Thole (61). She has 13 career game-winning goals, to put her at the top of the record book for the most career game-winning goals just above former Tiger Nikki Thole (12).
Haley Krentz HEATS UP
Tiger midfielder Haley Krentz was on fire during Missouri's matches against Loyola Maryland and Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Krentz scored the game-winning goal for the Tigers against Loyola one minute into the second overtime period. She hit the back of the net again on Sunday against Milwaukee, helping the Tigers gain ground against the Panthers. Krentz now has three career goals.
AT THE TOP OF TOPDRAWER
Freshmen Dominique Richardson and Danielle Nottingham received recognition from topdrawersoccer.com this season. The two were ranked in the website's College Freshman National Top 100 Women. Richardson, a midfielder from Fullerton, Calif, checked in at No. 74 on the list a few weeks ago, and is now up to the No. 72 spot. Richardson has started in all eleven games for the Tigers this season, and she has racked up a total of 25 shots. She has two goals on the season. Nottingham, a Frisco, Texas native, came in at the No. 79 spot in the previous poll. She has also earned a starting position for Mizzou, playing a total of 714 minutes so far this season. Nottingham has 15 shots and three assists on the season.
BLITZ WINS 200
Head coach Bryan Blitz earned his 200th career win in a 4-0 shutout of Arkansas. For Blitz, the next win was more important that the 200th. The program's only head coach credits the players he has coached with his success. Blitz holds a record of 203-174-25 on his career. Before coming to Missouri, the Dallas, Texas native spent five years as the head coach for Butler University where he amassed a record of 45-44-8.
GWIN SAVES THE DAY
Sophomore keeper Jessica Gwin is stepping up this season after having a year of experience under Tasha Dittamore. Gwin has started in eight games for the Tigers, which have included games against nationally ranked teams Maryland, Duke, North Carolina and Oklahoma State. So far this season Gwin has racked up 41 saves, with over 781 minutes of playing time. She ranks fifth in the conference for saves per game (4.56) and saves.
TIGERS WELCOME SEVEN
After graduating seven seniors, Mizzou added another seven to its roster. The Tigers welcomed six freshmen and one senior transfer from Clemson. Freshman forward Danielle Nottingham is already showing her stripes, netting the only two goals in the Tigers' preseason match against the University of Illinois. Freshmen Dominique Richardson and Alyssa Diggs joined Nottingham as starters for the Tigers on the day. Senior Paula Pritzen is working hard for a goalkeeping position as she comes in under sophomore Jessica Gwin who has a year of experience with the Tigers under her belt. Pritzen was ranked first in the ACC in saves per game average during her sophomore and junior seasons at Clemson.
SENIOR CLASS SETS STANDARD
The Back-to-Back Big 12 Champions are starting off a new season with a new team. Mizzou lost six starters from last season including Kristin Andrighetto, Michelle Collins and goalkeeper Tasha Dittamore. Andrighetto leaves Missouri holding the school records for career shots (379) and shots on goal (165). She graduated as the team leader in points, goals, shots and shots on goal for the 2009 season. She also holds the Big 12 record for shots in the 2009 season with 113. Michelle Collins led the team in assists last season, racking up 22 assists in her career. Goalkeeper Tasha Dittamore holds the records for career shutouts (17), victories (35), games started in goal (55) and minutes in goal (4945:05).
The Tigers graduated a total of seven seniors from the University of Missouri last year, including midfielders Bree Thornton, Meghan Pfeiffer and Michelle Makasini and defender Crystal Wagner.
RICHARDSON NOTCHES FIRST GOAL
Freshman Dominique Richardson stepped up to the plate for the Tigers against Maryland, scoring the first goal of the game. The long-range shot marks her first goal at MU. "I looked up and saw it was going in and I kind of got the chills," said Richardson. "It's my first college goal so that's pretty special for me." Richardson is having a breakout season with the Tigers; she is one of the team's top shooters (25) and she has tallied 12 shots on goal so far this season.
MIZZOU SELECTED THIRD IN PRESEASON POLL
The defending Big 12 regular season champions received 69 points and one first place vote in the the Big 12 preseason poll released on Aug. 11. The Tigers came in at No. 3, above last year's Big 12 tournament winner, Oklahoma State. Texas A&M secured the top spot in the poll, voted on by the league's coaches. Missouri senior Alysha Bonnick was chosen for the Preseason All-Big 12 team. Bonnick finished last season with 11 goals and four assists, and she has 13 career game-winning goals to date making her the top game-winning goal scorer in program history.
BACK-TO-BACK BIG 12 CHAMPS
The Tigers clinched the Big 12 regular season title last year after a 5-0 win over Nebraska. The title is the first regular season title won by a Missouri program since the softball team won it in 1997. Missouri's regular season title continued the success of the 2008 season when soccer came home from San Antonio, Texas with the Big 12 Tournament trophy. The team looks to continue its success this year as they defend their regular season title.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
Senior captains Alysha Bonnick, Kari Adam and Krista Kruse are looking to lead the Missouri soccer team to tournament turf this season. Alysha Bonnick is coming into the 2010 season with Big 12 preseason honors. She followed close behind Kristin Andrighetto as one of the team's top scorers last season. With 12 career game-winning goals, Bonnick holds the program's record with Tiger alum Nikki Thole. Kruse leads by example on the field where she holds a midfield spot. She scored three game-winning goals last season. Kari Adam finished 2009 with two goals on 11 shots on goal and three assists. She has played 67 games so far in her career, allowing her to set an example for the younger players on the team.
TIGERS TAKE TO THE NATIONAL TEAMS
A few Missouri soccer players earned the opportunity to play at a national level. Redshirt Freshman Edith Lopez spent her summer at Mexico U-20 team camp. Edith appeared versatile during the spring season for the Tigers showing her stripes in both the striker and midfield positions. She has four years of eligibility left after redshirting her freshman year. Senior Alysha Bonnick also represented her country as one of 28 players selected by Canada Soccer to participate in the Senior National Team training camp. She also participated in the Canadian U-20 National Team camp in Vancouver as a freshman. Senior Krista Kruse and Freshman Dominique Richardson both represented the United States, Kruse with the US U-23 National Team training camp and Richardson with the U-18 training camp. Richardson attended the camp for the second time in her high school career.
FOLLOW THE TIGERS
In addition to the official news, videos, statistics, and more available on mutigers.com, updates on the Missouri women's soccer team can be found on several social media sites. Search Mizzou Soccer on www.facebook.com, check out videos at www.youtube.com/mizzousoccer and at www.vimeo.com/ user4444281, and get frequent updates at www.twitter.com/MizzouSoccer.