Missouri soccer keeps momentum with win over Iowa State

Posted to Sports Blog by Vinnie Duber at 11:57 p.m., Oct. 23, 2009

The Missouri women’s soccer team honored its seniors Friday night at Walton Stadium. There was a pregame ceremony, but perhaps the more fitting recognition of the class of 2010 was a 3-1 defeat of Iowa State to keep the Tigers’ record spotless in conference play.

“It’s all dedicated to [our seniors],” sophomore forward/midfielder Jessie Crabtree said. “They motivate us every morning in practice. They’re there for us every single time we need them. This one was a big-time win for them.”

It was Crabtree who scored the game-winning goal in the second half. The score was knotted at one goal apiece, and a corner kick from senior forward Kristin Andrighetto headed straight toward the net. As senior forward Michelle Collins went up for the ball, it eventually ended up in the goal off Crabtree’s body.

Andrighetto, one of the seniors honored before the game, was Friday’s star. She scored two goals and kicked the corner kick that was credited as an assist that produced the game-winning tally. The goals were her sixth and seventh of the season.

Andrighetto overtook Collins for the team lead in points with 18 on the year. She also moved into sole possession of second place on the Missouri all-time goal scorer’s list. She has 34 career goals.

“It’s definitely a really special game,” Andrighetto said. “We wanted to come out really hard and win and continue to do well in the Big 12. It was really exciting, especially because my parents are here.”

The pregame ceremony featured the seniors being individually recognized. Each walked through a tunnel of their underclassmen teammates before reaching their parents, who stood with them on the player’s number, which was painted on the field. A highlight video of each senior played on the video board as the public address announcer listed their career accomplishments.

The six seniors honored were midfielder Bree Thornton, midfielder Meghan Pfeiffer, defender Crystal Wagner, goalkeeper Tasha Dittamore, midfielder Michelle Makasini and Collins and Andrighetto.

The first half ended in a scoreless tie, but the Tigers struck first in the second half. Andrighetto netted her first goal of the night off an assist from freshman defender Kellie Gavigan. Missouri’s first goal came just over four minutes into the first half.

Iowa State would answer with a goal from senior forward Amanda Nimtz with about 23 minutes remaining in the game. Crabtree’s game-winner came five minutes later, and Andrighetto added the insurance score for her second goal of the night 15 seconds after that.

The Tigers’ record improved to 11-4-3 overall and 6-0-2 in the Big 12. They have two games remaining before the Big 12 Tournament. Their next match comes Sunday when they will play host to the Nebraska Cornhuskers at 1 p.m.