Missouri soccer Big 12 preview

By Pat Iversen and Zach Miller

Published Aug. 24, 2010

Sept. 24 vs. Kansas Key Player: Sophomore forward Whitney Berry started all 22 games for the Jayhawks as a sophomore last season. Key Statistic: The Jayhawks were 7-2 at home last season but just 3-4-1 at home. Kansas plays at Missouri this season. Keys to the game: Missouri will have to play well for a full 90 minutes against Kansas this season, as both games last season were decided by one goal. Kansas beat Missouri 3-2 in Lawrence last season but lost 3-2 in overtime in the Big 12 tournament. One goal could be the difference again this season.

Oct. 1 vs. Oklahoma State Key Player: Junior forward Kyndall Treadwell led the team in assists last season and scored in the Cowboys opener against Oklahoma. Key Statistic: Oklahoma State finished the 2009 season ranked thirteenth in the country. Keys to the game: Forward play will be crucial in this game as the two teams combined for ten goals in two meetings last season. Missouri beat Oklahoma State 3-2 in September before losing by the same score in the Big 12 Tournament. This year's game is in Columbia.

Oct. 3 vs. Oklahoma Key Player: Senior defender Lauren Alkek will be starting in the Oklahoma backfield for the third consecutive season.
Key Statistic: The Sooners won just two Big 12 games last season Keys to the game: Missouri freshman forward Danielle Nottingham has gotten off to a quick start this season, but she will be tested against one of the most experienced backfields in the Big 12. Alkek, junior Michelle Alexander, and sophomore Katharine Nutman all had significant playing time on defense for Oklahoma last season.

Oct. 8 at Colorado Key Player: Senior forward Amanda Foulk played in 17 games last season. Key Statistic: Colorado was the most disciplined team in the Big 12 last season with only two yellow cards. Texas A&M, who had nine, was the only team with less than 10 yellow cards. Keys to the game: Colorado lost their best attacker and their starting goalie from last season, but Missouri will still have their hands full because the game is on the road. Colorado is 37-10-3 all-time at Prentup Field in Boulder. Missouri beat the Buffaloes 1-0 in overtime in an October showdown in Columbia last season.

Oct. 10 at Nebraska Key Player: Senior midfielder Colleen Goetzmann is coming off of an ACL tear last season. Goetzmann started in 19 games as a sophomore. Key Statistic: Missouri beat Nebraska 5-0 last season to clinch its second consecutive conference title. Keys to the game: Missouri senior forward Alysha Bonnick could have a big game in Lincoln this season. Bonnick scored two goals in last season's meeting. This game will be the Tigers' last before home showdowns with Texas and Texas A&M the following weekend.

Oct. 15 vs. Texas Key Player: Sophomore forward Hannah Higgins is a finisher, as three of her four goals last season were game winners. Key Statistic: In 2009, the Longhorns were among the bottom-two in the Big 12 in shots, goals and goals per game. Keys to the game: The Tigers must keep from making turnovers. Texas doesn't bring a lot of firepower and Missouri should hold possession for most of the game. But one turnover at midfield could lead to a breakaway goal and take all the momentum from Missouri for good.

Oct. 17 vs. Texas A&M Key Player: A preseason All-American, senior midfielder Rachel Shipley is the Aggies' best offensive weapon. Her impressive ball control and booming shot make her one of the most dangerous midfielders in the conference and could give Missouri's defenders fits. Key Statistic: A&M allowed 18 goals over the first 12 games in 2009, but only let in nine in the last 13. Keys to the game: Shipley aside, the Aggies lost much of their offensive talent from last season and will be relying on their defenders to provide some scoring this year. Missouri's midfielders can take advantage of this. Forcing turnovers and applying pressure along the Aggies' attacking backline would slow their progress and provide plenty of breakaway opportunities for the Tigers. Also, locking down Shipley will be important.

Oct. 22 at Baylor Key Player: Junior goalkeeper Catie McGowan will take over in the starting role this season, replacing last year's standout Gianna Quintanna. If she can play nearly half as well as Quintanna did last season, the Bears' backfield will be even more difficult to break. Key Statistic: Baylor only allowed 18 goals all season in 2009. Keys to the game: The key to this game is simple: Don't allow two goals. Every Baylor defensive statistic last season indicates that opponents had a tough time scoring more than a goal against them. So being down two goals to the Bears is a near impossible task to come back from. The Bears won't bring much offensively, so one or two Missouri scores should seal the game.

Oct. 24 at Texas Tech Key Player: Junior midfielder Taylor Lytle, named to the Preseason All-Big 12, holds the school's single-season and single-game records for assists. Lytle's ability to open up the offense will be a major factor in how Missouri defends their net. Key Statistic: Tech had the worst team save percentage (86.8) in the Big 12 in 2009. Keys to the game: Missouri needs to consistently get the ball on net to defeat the Raiders. Bringing the defenders in to attack could help to overwhelm the young Red Raiders defenders. It's worth noting that this will be a matchup of the two most yellow-carded Big 12 teams last season. Whoever wins this matchup will have to overcome the physicality both teams bring.

Oct. 29 at Iowa State Key Player: Junior midfielder Mary-Kate McLaughlin is the team's top returning scorer and will provide the most experience and offensive punch on offense. Key Statistic: The Cyclones had the conference's fourth-best goals against average (1.04) in 2009, but also were dead last in goals (18) and goals scored per game (0.90). Keys to the game: The plan couldn't be plainer for the Tigers. Put points on the board. Iowa State does boast a solid defensive game, but enough pressure inside the box should allow Missouri to notch a goal or two. And Missouri's penchant for ball possession should prevent the Cyclones from mounting much of a counterattack.