Oct. 21, 2005
Box Score
COLUMBIA, Mo.--Despite outshooting the Texas Longhorns 22-17, the Missouri Tigers surrendered three first half goals in a 4-1 loss on Friday night at Walton Stadium. Missouri (8-6-1, 3-4-3 Big 12) was dominated early by Texas (9-6-1, 6-3) and could not muster many quality scoring chances in the first 45 minutes.
With the loss, the Tigers now sit in eighth place in the conference standings with only one league game left. Missouri needs to maintain its slim one-point lead over ninth place Oklahoma State to assure the team a place in the eight-team Big 12 Tournament starting Nov. 2.
Texas got on the board only 11 minutes into the match when Kelsey Carpenter fed a ball to Amy Burlingham in the box. Burlingham fired a shot from the right corner of the box that eluded sophomore Tiger goalie Laura Buehrig for a quick 1-0 Longhorn lead.
"Nothing went right for our group today," said Missouri head coach Bryan Blitz. "We let Texas dictate the game. Early goals have been a trend against us, we're basically beating ourselves."
At the 17 minute mark, Missouri looked to even the score when sophomore midfielder Anne Baxter dribbled into the box and fired a point-blank shot from eight yards out. Unfortunately, Baxter's shot hit Texas goalkeeper Dianne Pfenninger in the face and rebounded out of the box to thwart the scoring chance.
With eight minutes remaining in the half, senior forward Amber Swinehart passed off to freshman forward Carolina Pohl, who in turn threaded a perfect pass to oncoming freshman forward Ashley Hamblin. After a few touches, Hamblin blasted a shot on goal that Pfenninger managed to corral after bobbling her first touch.
Miscommunication in the Tiger defensive end allowed the Longhorns to strike again in the 38th minute with an own goal on the Tigers. After a 45-yard Tiger free kick, the ball found the foot of a defender and bounced off the crossbar. Buehrig could not get her hands on the rebound and the ball found the back of the net for a 2-0 Longhorn advantage. One minute later, Texas increased its lead to 3-0 on a perfect 20 yard free kick from Kasey Moore.
After Texas struck again when Carpenter hit a goal of her own in the 78th, the Tigers responded quickly one minute later. Hamblin navigated the endline and passed to the goal face and Swinehart easily one-timed the ball past Pfenninger. The goal was the 10th of the season for Swinehart. Missouri could not capitalize on its scoring opportunities in the remaining 12 minutes as the Longhorns held on for the 4-1 victory.
"We played well in the second half but soccer is a game of two halves," said Buehrig. "We have to come out focused to start the game."
Buehrig tied her season-high with seven saves in the game, four of which came in the game's first six minutes.
The Tigers next host non-conference opponent during Colorado College during Senior Day on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Prior to kickoff, Missouri will honor the four Tiger seniors in their last regular season home game. Then the Tigers travel to Lawrence, Kan. on Friday, Sept. 28 to close out the Big 12 regular season schedule with a game against Kansas.
