Tigers topple Texas Tech

The Tigers are the only undefeated Big 12 soccer team.

By Vinnie Duber

Published Oct. 13, 2009

The Missouri women's soccer team kept its record unblemished in conference play Sunday with a 2-1 win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Walton Stadium.

The eventual game-winning goal came from junior midfielder Krista Kruse, who headed the ball into the net off an assist from junior forward/midfielder Kari Adam. The goal broke a 1-1 tie with slightly more than 25 minutes left in the game.

Sunday's game was marked by physical play, as a total of six yellow cards were issued to the two teams.

Adam received one in the first half, and three Tigers earned yellow cards in a nine-minute span in the second half: junior forward Alysha Bonnick, senior midfielder Meghan Pfeiffer and senior midfielder Michelle Makasini.

Missouri committed 25 fouls, and the Red Raiders committed 16.

"I think Mizzou soccer, we play very physical," Bonnick said. "We play as if we're big, we have a big presence. Right off the bat I wanted to let my presence be known. I wanted to stick it to them and get them frazzled. I wanted to get them off their game. It worked."

The game's first goal was scored just before halftime, as freshman midfielder/defender Jessica Greer put a diving header by Texas Tech junior goalkeeper Colleen Pitts. Freshman midfielder Haley Krentz put a crossing pass into the box, and Greer flew in among a pack of Red Raider defenders to head the ball in for the score.

Missouri's first goal was scored with almost all of the team's offensive starters on the bench. The Tigers' ability to score a goal with mainly substitutes in the game speaks to the team's depth.

"I think that's the thing that gets us through the season," coach Bryan Blitz said of his team's depth. "If we're going to have a successful season, we know that our depth is going to have to carry us. Our motto is that if you come off the bench, you have a responsibility to play better."

Texas Tech answered 14 minutes into the second half as freshman midfielder Dawn Ward put an unassisted goal by Missouri senior goalkeeper Tasha Dittamore.

A controversial play with 11 minutes left in the game initially gave the Tigers a 3-1 lead, but the goal was called back.

As Pitts and Bonnick fought for the ball, both ended up on the ground, and the ball came loose. Tigers senior forward Kristin Andrighetto kicked it into an empty net.

As the banged up goalkeeper remained on the ground, the referee ruled the play resulted in a foul on Bonnick, who had run into Pitts in the first place. The goal was waved off, and the referee issued yellow cards to Andrighetto and Bonnick, though Andrighetto's yellow card was quickly taken back.

Dittamore, who set the Missouri school record for career shutouts in Friday night's 1-0 overtime win over Colorado, made five saves Sunday.

The win improved the Tigers' record to 8-4-3 and 3-0-2 in Big 12 play. After Texas' loss Sunday, Missouri is now the only team without a loss in the conference.

"This is completely up to us," Dittamore said. "We've just got to keep playing our game, we haven't had a (Big 12) loss yet. We're going to keep moving up, and keep playing better every game, and not getting a loss is our plan."

Missouri will travel to Baylor to play the Bears on Friday.