Oct. 31, 2003
Ames, Iowa-Unwilling to miss its first Big 12 Tournament appointment in program history, the Mizzou Tiger soccer team came through with another impressive come-back victory to best Iowa State and earn berth to the league championship.
Launching the Cyclones first shot from the top of the Mizzou goal box, Missouri faced a 1-0 deficit after just under two minutes of play. Kate Kirwan, assisted by Jess Villhauer, put the Cyclones on the board warning the Tiger of their intended fight for the coveted Big 12 seed.
Extending Iowa State's lead further, Kirwan came back to score a second goal just eight minutes later. Vilhauer took a solid shot on the Missouri net forcing Tiger goalkeeper Megan Duncan to make a diving save. Kirwan swooped in to finish the shot and score unassisted.
Aria Hudetz made her first appearance on the field following a knee injury suffered during the Texas A&M game. Joining the ranks of Mizzou's missing from action roster, Hudetz is the seventh starter to miss playing time during the 2003 season. Refreshing the Missouri lineup, Hudetz immediately lifted the Tigers creating several dangerous offensive opportunities.
No sooner had the Tigers built their momentum; Missouri's injury list grew yet again. Just moments after entering the game, Shea Swoboda was sidelined by an ankle injury grouping her amongst Tiger's long list of disabled athletes.
Despite the setback, the Tigers persisted in their struggle to come back. Seeing inspired play by midfielder Amber Swinehart and Elyse Nikonchuk, Missouri continued to press toward the ISU goal. Mizzou's efforts finally saw fruition as the Tigers scored two goals to leave the half with a 2-2 tie.
Nikonchuk scored first for Missouri, cleaning up an unassisted shot to boost Missouri to 2-1 just a minute later. The goal kept the Tigers vying for the prize; bolstering the team to a late half come-back.
Hudetz lofted a cross over the ISU goal box where freshman Meggie Malm battled three Cyclone defenders and goalkeeper Beth Chapman. Reaching to get the ball, Malm tapped the ball behind Chapman and over the goal line. The goal is Malm's first of the season and marks Hudetz's fourth assist.
Opening the second half, both teams brought intensity back to the field. Giving Iowa State a second scare, Malm started the half by launching a shot that slipped through Chapman's grasp. Before the ball traveled far however, Chapman recaptured the ball to immobilize Malm's effort.
Versatile play from the Tigers continued to keep Missouri vying in the close match. In the box, Duncan did her part making six saves, including an amazing one-handed stop. Defeating ISU's Deb Benakis one-on-one, Duncan knocked down a shot taken just three-yards out.
Mizzou couldn't hold a Cyclone offensive tear however as Iowa State came back to score their third goal. Kristina Baumann sailed a pass through the goal box where Amy Flores swept in to nudge the shot through on the far corner.
Undaunted by the 3-2 deficit, the Tigers kept focus to make another late come-back. Nikonchuk led the rally scoring an unassisted goal with an indirect penalty kick from the top of the penalty box.
After giving Missouri's newcomers a chance in the spotlight, it was Mizzou's veterans turn to light up the game. Junior Karen Bauer lofted a corner kick over the ISU box where Kim Hibbert slated a pass into Adriene Davis for the game-winning goal.
The victory takes Missouri to a 3-6-1 Big 12 record and drops Iowa State to 2-6-2 to knock the Cyclones out of Big 12 Tournament seeding. The Tigers slide up to take the #8 seed next weekend in San Antonio, Texas.