Weekly soccer update

Posted to Sports Blog by Alex Ruppenthal at 6:25 p.m., Oct. 8, 2008

Dittamore, defense stand out

For the second time this season, junior goalkeeper Tasha Dittamore was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week.

Dittamore recorded a pair of shutouts last weekend in MU's wins against Colorado and Texas Tech, giving her six for the season, a Missouri single-season record. Dittamore, once seen as a goalie who was solid in the air but couldn't rely on her feet, has turned into an all-around keeper. 

But MU's defense has improved right along with Dittamore. Seniors Kat Tarr and Janelle Cordia and junior Crystal Wagner held Colorado and Texas Tech to a combined six shots on goal. To put that in perspective, the Tigers allowed nine shots on goal in their season-opening loss to Illinois.

Crunching the numbers

Missouri is second among Big 12 teams in fouls and tied for first in yellow cards. But the Tigers aren't necessarily a dirty team. Missouri's forwards and midfielders do everything they can to keep the ball on the opponent's half of the field. MU's propensity to foul simply highlights its aggressive, trapping style.

Junior forward Kristin Andrighetto is fourth in the conference with 3.55 shots per game. Andrighetto scored her team-leading fifth goal of the season Sunday. But it'll be difficult for Andrighetto to match her total of 14 from last season.

 Missouri is starting to creep into the national rankings. The Tigers were ranked No. 22 by Soccer America and No. 25 by the Soccer Times this week.

Oklahoma for the weekend

 The Tigers will spend their weekend in Oklahoma, playing at Oklahoma on Friday night and at No. 13 Oklahoma State on Sunday afternoon. Last year, Missouri beat the Sooners 3-0 but fell to the Cowboys 2-1 in overtime.