April 19, 2008
Box Score: http://mutigers.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/stats/2007-2008/muex4.html
Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri women's soccer team defeated the Loyola University Chicago Ramblers, 5-4, in Mizzou's final spring exhibition game. The game was part of a big weekend for the Mizzou soccer program, which also hosted an alumni scrimmage and a golf tournament.
First...the Last Spring Game
After losing their first spring game to Illinois, 3-1, the Tigers won the next three, by scores of 3-0 (Wisconsin-Milwaukee) , 3-1 (Minnesota) and 5-4 (Loyola).
"Overall, the spring was super successful," Tiger Head Coach Bryan Blitz said. "We got better [as the spring went on]...We scored 11 goals in our last three games."
The Tigers scored five of those 11 Saturday, including two from forward Alysha Bonnick, who finishes the spring with three goals in four games. She scored her first Saturday in the 12th minute, as fellow forward Kristin Andrighetto passed her the ball, leading her to a spot about eight yards out and to the right side of the goal. Bonnick made a move and got past a Rambler defender. She then shot it back to the near side, beating Loyola goalkeeper Colleen Dougherty to the left post.
After a Loyola score in the 16th minute, Bonnick struck again, as she took a pass from Michelle Collins and sent it to the back of the net to make the score 2-1. The Tigers would score one more in the first half, as midfielder Meghan Pfeiffer gathered a loose ball from a free kick and kicked it in to score her first goal of the spring.
The Ramblers tied the game within the first 10 minutes of the second half, as Alexia Murray scored two goals from close range to tie the game at 3-3.
But the Tigers would respond in the 61st minute, when a ball crossed by
Kat Tarr slid across the front of the goal, hit the far post, hit off of Dougherty and bounced into the net. About two minutes later, Bonnick fed Andrighetto, who scored Mizzou's fifth and game-winning goal, her second of the spring.
Sarah McPartlan added an unassisted goal in the 79th minute, but it was not enough as the Tigers finished out the spring with their third straight exhibition win.
Alumni Weekend a Success
The Tiger soccer program welcomed former players and staff back to Columbia for an alumni reunion that included a scrimmage before Mizzou played Loyola. After a competitive game on a shortened field, MUTigers.com asked a couple of the alumni about the weekend.
Mandy Waters (1998-2001)
"It's an exciting weekend, and it's a good chance to see some of the girls we haven't seen since the last alumni game. It is a lot of fun, it brings back memories, and I really look forward to it."
Jackie Adamec (1997-99)
"It's a great time for everyone to come back [and get] together. There has been a great turnout the last few years. We are a family, so this is like a family reunion, its exciting to see everybody...its a great family and a great program to be a part of."
Golf Tournament Also Successful
The First Annual Mizzou Soccer Golf Tournament went off without a hitch Saturday morning, as six foursomes teed off at a cold and wet Gustin Golf Course in Columbia. The team of former Tiger Laura Buehrig and her family took first place, shooting an eight-under 62 on the day; and Meghan Pfeiffer's father, Michael, won both the longest drive and closest to the pin contests.
Only Four Months...
Saturday's game marks the end of Mizzou's spring schedule, but they will be back in action Saturday, Aug. 23, when they host Illinois for the first home exhibition of the 2008 season. Check MUTigers.com for summer news and notes from the team, as they prepare for what they hope to be another successful season.
