Tigers to play at Auburn Soccer Classic
Missouri faces Auburn and Vanderbilt this weekend.
Published Sept. 11, 2009
The home stand is over for the Missouri women's soccer team. After four straight games at Walton Stadium, the Tigers will now be on the road for the next four.
They begin their road trip in Alabama this weekend at the Auburn Soccer Classic. The tournament consists of two games — the first against the hosting Auburn Tigers and the second against another SEC opponent, Vanderbilt.
"I focus more when we're on the road," junior forward Alysha Bonnick said. "We have our headphones in and it's quiet."
The Tigers are in need of a rebound after losing 4-1 to Long Beach State last Sunday. When the new National Soccer Coaches Association of America rankings were released Tuesday, the Tigers were no longer in the top 25. They were in the "also receiving votes" category, earning 17 total votes.
"We have to show up and compete," coach Bryan Blitz said. "We need to make sure we're competing for everything."
The battle between the two teams of Tigers is set for Friday at the Auburn Soccer Complex. Auburn has yet to lose in 2009. Its first two games were 1-1 ties, and it has won its last two contests, including a 3-1 triumph over Kennesaw State.
Auburn has not faced an opponent from a conference the caliber of the Big 12 so far this season, but they will take on Missouri and Texas Tech this weekend.
Two players from the state of Missouri appear on Auburn's roster. Senior forward Caitlin King and sophomore midfielder Julie King attended Nerinx Hall High School in the St. Louis area.
Vanderbilt has an unblemished record, as it has won its first five games. That includes a 2-1 win over the St. Louis University Billikens and a 3-1 defeat of Big 12 opponent Oklahoma.
The Commodores have not played a regular season game on the road this season. Missouri squares off against Vanderbilt on Sunday morning.
Vanderbilt also features a Missouri product, as sophomore defender Bridget Lohmuller attended St. Joseph's Academy in St. Louis.
Missouri senior midfielder Michelle Makasini transferred from LSU, an SEC school, so she has some familiarity with the teams on the Tigers' schedule this weekend.
"She'll feel more comfortable and confident," Blitz said.
Bonnick said Makasini's experience against SEC opponents would help the Tigers this weekend. Makasini said it will have no effect on gameplay and her teammates haven't brought it up.
Both Auburn and Vanderbilt are on the cusp on reaching the top 25, and neither team has lost a game in 2009. That doesn't change the Tigers' game plan.
"We don't think about it that way," Bonnick said. "We're going to play our game no matter who the opponent is."
This will be the Tigers' longest road trip of the year to date. Their only previous one was the season opener at Iowa.
"Even though you're traveling a lot," Makasini said. "You have to have your legs under you for whenever you go out there and play."
Missouri takes the field against Auburn at 7 p.m. Friday.