Aug. 15, 2005

Mizzou Soccer will celebrate its 10th season of competition this year and hopes to make 2005 one to remember. Combining last year's undefeated spring squad with ten new versatile freshmen, the team is poised to make some noise on the Big 12 and national scenes.

"With the graduation of seven seniors, we knew the spring would be important," Head Coach Bryan Blitz said. "We found that the team responded by coming together and adapting with a new style of play and overall team attitude. Overall it was a great opportunity for our new captains to lead and for others to showcase their abilities and talents in a positive environment."

This change in formation and style proved to be bad news for the team's spring opponents, as the Tigers recorded a plus-ten goal differential in four victories, including two shutouts against high-quality teams.

Blitz said the biggest change in the play of the spring squad was the emphasis on team defense, an emphasis he believes to be the most important for the upcoming season.

"The team responded by coming together and playing more team-oriented soccer," Blitz explained. "We like to say that the best player on our team is our team."

While Mizzou has strength and experience at every position on the field, Blitz expects the ten incoming freshmen to contribute to the team immediately. With "one of the most talented classes" of his ten years, Blitz says the freshmen's versatility will be their greatest asset to the team.

"All of our new players are capable of stepping in at multiple positions, we have one of the best varieties of talent I have seen during my time at Mizzou."

The Tigers are anxious to combine this variety and depth with the leadership and experience of last year's players and have been working hard during the spring and summer seasons to ensure success.

"We know we have the athletes and skilled individuals to be the best, but championships are earned, never given," Blitz said. "This type of work ethic and attitude will prove vital for our team to achieve our desired goals."

Goalkeepers
The Mizzou goalbox will be one of the most competitive and talented positions as last year's starter Laura Buehrig, experienced senior Kira Reyes, and talented newcomer Mallory Forst all look to contribute to the Tigers' defensive success.

As a senior, Reyes will bring experience, maturity and leadership to the goalkeeping position. She has proven she can step up in big games, as she showed in last year's performance against Texas A&M, coming off the bench and recording the win in goal.

Buehrig will bring in a lot of game experience after 18 starts last season, in which she recorded two shutouts and an impressive 1.58 goals against average. The vast improvements and adjustments she made throughout the season, coupled with a strong spring performance will make her a strong candidate for the starting role.

Forst joins the Tigers from St. Joseph's Academy, where she posted a remarkable 22-0-2 record in her senior season. In recognition of her outstanding goalkeeping skills, Forst was a member of the 2003 and 2004 Missouri State Olympic Development Program (ODP) teams. Blitz expects Forst to contribute to the goalkeeping core with her excellent footwork and technical skills.

"Our keepers are all extremely talented and each brings such different important aspects to our team," Blitz said. "The competition between these three will be the most interesting to watch this season."

Defenders
Captain and All-Big XII player Erica Pusch, will join junior Meg Malm to solidify the backbone of the team and anchor the Tiger defense. Both players are tenacious defenders as well as excellent defensive attackers with good pace. In addition to Pusch and Malm, Blitz expects freshmen Kat Tarr, Lindsay McCoy, Ashley Hamblin and Beth Warwick to challenge for spots in the back, combining with experienced defenders such as Mallory Ames and Lauren Grice to add depth.

Ames and Grice will add experience to the backline, both having played outstanding in the spring season. While Grice adds pace and strong tackling to the outside of the defense, Ames plays hard-nosed, aggressive defense and attacks the ball well.

Tarr joins the squad from Vancouver, Wash., and will bring speed depth to the backline. In addition to receiving all-state honors three years and being a member of the Washington ODP team for three years, Tarr was also voted MVP of her state-championship 4x100 meter relay track team.

McCoy comes into the pre-season having just returned from the national club team championships, where her club KC Dynamos competed. She brings speed, size and tenacity to the backline and has a chance to make an immediate impact.

Joining the team from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Hamblin played for the Region II ODP team and brings an incredible amount of prep experience to the defense. Hamblin's athleticism and poise make her a strong addition to the squad.

Another of Mizzou's freshmen that looks set to contribute in her first season is Warwick, a strong defender from St. Louis. Warwick's work ethic and strong mentality adds further depth to a strong defense.

"With our new style of play, our backs are going to be important to our success as a team," Blitz said. "Their leadership, communication and organization will help us prevent goals but also create goals in the attack."

Midfield
Blitz expects the tandem of juniors Elyse Nikonchuk and Aria Hudetz to anchor the midfield. Coming off a goal-scoring tear in the spring season, Nikonchuk will pair with experienced winger Hudetz to lead the midfield attack. Other experienced players Casey Dreyfus, Maddie Senkosky and Lauren Vineyard will combine with freshmen Janelle Cordia and Mo Redmond to compete for time in the midfield.

Dreyfus, Senkosky and Vineyard all bring experience to the midfield, each contributing last season off the bench and helping the Tigers to an undefeated spring season with strong performances. Additionally, spring transfer Anne Baxter will see her first playing time with the Tigers this fall after recovering from a hamstring injury that kept her from playing in the spring. Her speed and offensive skill will be a strong addition to the squad.

Redmond, from Brownsburg, Ind., was a member of her ODP state team from 1997-2003. She will add power and finesse to the Tiger midfield with her aggressive play and excellent footwork. Cordia, a Columbia resident, was a standout for Hickman High School and played for the Missouri ODP team for four years. Cordia's athleticism and work ethic will make her invaluable to Mizzou. Meghan Pfeiffer will also be an asset as an athletic, hard-working utility player. With the ability to play both in the midfield and at forward, Pfeiffer will bring a strong attacking force to Mizzou.

"We have a tremendous amount of depth and versatility with our midfielders," Blitz said. "We have a great mix of tough, tenacious players as well as creative, savvy individuals that will make our midfield a solid part of our team."

Forwards
The Tigers attacking tandem of top goal-scorer Jennifer Nobis and senior captain Amber Swinehart makes the attacking position the Tigers' most experienced. The two attackers play with great chemistry, and should provide for a lethal attack.

"Goals are always a premium with the tough competition we play and with Amber and Jennie up top we are hoping their partnership will create tons of chances for our team," Blitz said.

Nobis, last year's leading scorer with 21 points, is one of Mizzou's toughest players. She combines incredible speed and cutting ability with a fine goal scoring touch and good vision to lead the Tiger attack. Swinehart is the perfect compliment to Nobis, bringing selflessness and great passing and shooting technique to the frontline. Having played in the midfield as well as forward, Swinehart has great field vision and sees passing lanes where other players don't and is one of the team's best finishers.

Freshmen Annie Meredith and Brazilian Carolina Pohl are both versatile players with the ability to play both on the frontline and in the midfield, adding depth and creativeness in the attack. Meredith is a hard worker and aggressive, while Pohl adds flair and creativity. Their abilities to pass as well as score will allow them to step onto the field at multiple positions to make an impact and score goals.

"Overall, our staff is very excited about this season and the potential of this talented group. Although we have a lot of new faces, we know our entire team possesses a ton of high-level soccer experience in each of their respective backgrounds. With that experience and the tenacious work ethic that Mizzou soccer is known for we expect to achieve great things this fall," Blitz said.