Soccer team loses to Nebraska, beats Redbirds

By Ryan Huber

Published Sept. 26, 2006

After losing its conference opener on Friday, MU's soccer team rebounded with an overtime victory on Sunday.

The Tigers looked to start their Big 12 season by curtailing their 1-13 record against Nebraska since 1996, but they could not come back from a two-goal deficit. By the 18th minute, Nebraska scored its second goal, putting MU in a deep hole.

Despite out-shooting the Cornhuskers 20-8, with 14 second-half shots, the Tigers never managed to put one past Nebraska goalkeeper Jamie Klages.

Despite the 2-0 defeat, the coaches and players were pleased with their efforts.

"We are proud of our team." Blitz said. "No one ever gave up, we stuck with each other to the end. We grew. We could have given up at 2-0, but we didn't."

MU goalkeeper Mallory Forst agreed her team played a solid match.

"I think for the most part, minus one play, we controlled them," Forst said. "We were in their half more than they were in ours. Our effort was awesome, we just couldn't finish."

Sunday's victory against Illinois State (3-4-2) came after the loss to Nebraska, which was the second consecutive game in which the Tigers were shut out.

It took 97 grueling minutes in a game that had 35 shots and 34 fouls before sophomore forward Mo Redmond converted on a penalty kick to give the Tigers the 3-2 win on Sunday against the Redbirds.

"It was an exciting feeling," Redmond said. "I hadn't scored this season. We all had worked for it, and I was just the one who took the PK, but the whole team earned it."

Redbird junior Bethany Russ put Illinois State ahead just 12 minutes into Sunday's game. Physical midfield battles continued through much of the first half until senior midfielder Elyse Nikonchuk tied the score off a corner kick.

"It gave us some momentum," coach Bryan Blitz said. "We always do so well creating chances off of corners."

The Redbirds managed to break the tie four minutes into the second half, only to allow an MU goal one minute later from the foot of sophomore midfielder Janelle Cordia.

Despite multiple chances, neither team could find the back of the net. The Tigers out shot Illinois State 17-3 in the second half, but two of those three shots bounced off the MU crossbar and post.

But the Tigers dominated the overtime period. Seven minutes in, senior midfielder Meggie Malm was taken down in the box and drew the penalty kick. Redmond stepped up and placed a shot into the left corner to give the Tigers the victory.

"We practice penalties consistently throughout practice, and traditionally she has been the best one." Blitz said. "She wants to take them, and I think that's what penalty kickers do. They want pressure and want to take them. It was a total team effort. We knew they were going to be fresh, and it was going to be a heck of a game. We are proud of our kids. We made some adjustments and to continue coming down and scoring, it was impressive to come from behind."

The win boosted the Tigers to 8-2-0 overall.