Soccer No. 1 in Big 12

The team also had its 150th win in program history Friday.

By Vinnie Duber

Published Oct. 20, 2009

Bryan Blitz has presided over the Missouri women's soccer program for the entirety of its existence. Blitz reached a milestone last season when his Tigers won the first Big 12 championship in school history. This weekend he reached another plateau, as a 5-0 shutout of Baylor on Friday marked the 150th win in program history.

"It's great for the program," Blitz said. "It represents all the players that are here now and all the players that were here before."

In his first 13 seasons as coach, Blitz's teams have finished less than .500 only three times and failed to reach double digits in wins only four times. He was named Big 12 Coach of the Year in 2007 and his Tigers won the first Big 12 conference championship in school history last season.

"That was always the goal," Blitz said. "Not necessarily a number of wins, but Big 12 titles. To be successful it takes good people and to be successful in athletics it takes talented players. You're only as good as your players. I'm fortunate to work at a place that attracts great students with great character."

In fact, recent Tigers teams have been some of Blitz's most successful. Last season's squad posted a 16-5-2 record -- the best in school history. In addition, Missouri advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in each of the last two seasons.

"It's something special to share with him," senior defender Crystal Wagner said. "It shows how far we've come."

As of Monday, the senior class has 49 wins to its credit.

"Mizzou soccer continues to build on the successes we've had over the years," senior forward Michelle Collins said. "It's a reinforcement of the hard work we put in day in and day out. Four years ago it was a different Mizzou soccer team. Every year we've gotten better. We have a lot of experience and that keeps us sharp."

This season, Blitz and the Tigers are continuing the winning tradition established over the past 14 years. Two wins this weekend, both shutouts, secured the Tigers their fourth straight season of double-digit victories.

Missouri's record this season stands at 10-4-3 and Sunday's 1-0 double overtime win over Oklahoma moved the Tigers into first place in the Big 12 standings. They have a 5-0-2 record in conference play.

The 150th win came Friday night against Baylor, as the Tigers pummeled the host team with four goals in the first half and another in the second. Sophomore forward and midfielder Jessie Crabtree scored two goals in the win.

Win 151 came Sunday in Norman, Okla., over the Sooners. The teams held each other scoreless for the first 100 minutes of play. In the second overtime period, Collins scored her sixth goal of the season to give the Tigers a 1-0 victory.

Missouri returns for its final home stand of the season this weekend. They will host Iowa State on Friday night, and they will square off with Nebraska on Sunday. With only three games remaining in the regular season, the Tigers will try to finish conference play with an unblemished record. If they can do that, Blitz and his team will write more history for the Missouri soccer program.

"I think we're doing a great job," Wagner said. "It's very special to have the record we have in conference right now. We just have to be focused throughout the week and keep taking care of business."