Unique strategy no longer suprising opponents

Posted to Sports Blog by Alex Ruppenthal at 3:14 p.m., Sept. 11, 2008

Missouri soccer coach Bryan Blitz can’t say it enough: this season will be much tougher than last year for the Tigers.

Every MU opponent thus far has game planned for Missouri’s aggressive 3-4-3 system, as opposed to last season, when the Tigers' attack took teams by surprise.

The top three goal scorers from last season - junior Kristin Andrighetto, sophomore Alysha Bonnick and junior Michelle Collins - have just one goal apiece this year. Granted, Collins hasn’t played the last two games because of a hamstring injury. Blitz said she could have played last weekend in California but would have been playing at 60 percent.

Last season, the Tigers, who are 2-2-0, more than doubled their opponents in shots on goal (213-105). This year, MU’s edge is just 28-24. And through four games, the Tigers have yet to tally a goal in the first half.

Blitz said teams are doing a lot of different things to slow MU down. He said the Tigers need to take more outside shots, beat teams in the corner of the field and open up their game in general.

As far as Andrighetto, Bonnick and Collins are concerned, Blitz isn’t too worried. “They have too much talent for them to be in this situation (the whole season),” he said.

Though the three undoubtedly anchor Missouri’s offense, there are a handful of other forwards who have seen significant playing time. Freshman Kendra Collins started both games last weekend in her sister’s absence. Freshman Kelsey Blincow scored the Tigers’ first goal in their 3-0 win against Eastern Washington. Freshman Jessie Crabtree and senior Ashley Hamblin are also competing for time. In other words, the forward position is crowded.

Andrighetto has yet to start a game this season because she hasn’t passed MU’s required fitness test for starters. She is the only Tiger who has yet to pass.

“She’s continuing to get closer and closer,” Blitz said. “She’ll eventually pass. She always does.”

Blitz isn’t all that close to solidifying his starting lineup. Andrighetto and Michelle Collins started 37 games combined last year and would figure to start after Andrighetto passes the fitness test and Collins’ hamstring heals. But almost nobody’s spot is safe with Missouri’s depth.

“We have such a deep talent pool that we won’t settle (on a starting lineup) for quite a long time,” Blitz said.

The goalkeeping situation remains the same, though Blitz continually says things could change in a day or week. Junior Tasha Dittamore has played every minute in the net this season. Senior Mallory Forst, who started 12 games at goalie last year, has not played a single minute this season. Forst can also play defense and midfield, but Blitz has yet to use her.

“I think right now Tasha is playing a little better,” Blitz said. “I’m sure when Mal gets her chance, she’ll make the most of it.”

That chance might come only if Dittamore gets hurt. But Blitz rewards his players for performance in practice, so Forst has a chance to get on the field, whether in goal or in the field.