Bench plays key role in Missouri soccer victory
Junior reserve Mallory Stipetich assisted senior Krista Krause on the go-ahead goal for the victory.
Published Sept. 28, 2010
In the 61st minute of Friday’s win over Kansas, MU soccer coach Bryan Blitz decided to to change the game’s momentum. The game was still knotted at 1-1 when Blitz substituted junior Mallory Stipetich in for senior Alysha Bonnick, a bold move considering Bonnick had been a force on the field through much of the game. What happened a minute later silenced any doubts about the move.
“I knew it was coming to me,” Stipetich said. “I was just shielding my player off and I knew that I could just flick it. Krista (Kruse) was screaming for it in my ear and so it barely touched my head and I flicked it right to her.”
The goal ended up being the game-winner —- a final score of 4-1. Later, Blitz explained the move wasn’t calculated, saying, “(That would be) giving me too much credit. It was just luck of the draw.”
Luck or not, the play off the bench has become a reliable tool for Missouri this season. Six different players with two or fewer starts have appeared in at least eight games. The substitutes accounted for two goals, five points and fifteen shots on goal. Blitz said the experience off the bench has been invaluable this season.
“Since we do have a young group getting a lot of minutes, our depth is something we always talk about —- (it) has to carry us because of our style,” Blitz said. “And it’s mostly older kids that are coming off. Sometimes it’s hard for older players to not be getting a lot of time. But we ask them to excel in their role, which is difficult, but most of our depth has been able to do that.” One of those players is Stipetich, who is adapting to the role of bench player this year after starting 21 of 22 games last season. She said the successful change is a sign that her coach has faith in her. “It’s been a good transition for me,” Stipetich said. “I feel like I bring a lot of energy off the bench and help the team even if I don’t start. I feel like (coach) has to trust me that I’m going to raise the level coming in and that I’m not just going to bring it down just because I’m coming off the bench.” Senior captain Kari Adam has been the most effective substitute this season, tallying 2 goals and 9 shots on goal so far this year. She said that playing a shorter game doesn’t take away from any energy on the field. “For me, it’s a big adrenaline rush to get to start,” Adam said. “But I think coming off the bench is just as exciting because you’ve gotten to see the game and get into it and get to go on there and see what you need to improve on.” Adam talked about the bench trying to be “a voice” on the sidelines, and bench chemistry plays a large role in that. In the Kansas game, both Stipetich and sophomore Kelsey Mulcahy came onto the field at the same time. Stipetich said that the two help each other keep their spirits up.
“She’s one of my really good friends,” Stipetich said. “We just keep each other positive, if one of us goes in, we’re cheering the other on. Just always talking. We both stay positive, and if one of us is down and not playing well, it just helps a lot.” For younger players like Mulcahy (a multiple all-conference selection in high school) who are used to starting, adapting to a bench role can be difficult. But Adam said that the older players always remind them where their hard work can get them. “We talk a lot to them about staying focused and letting them know they just need to push through it,” Adam said. “Everyday you should be trying to prove yourself. And obviously we’re going to have older girls that are experienced that are going to start over you. It’s always going to be a constant battle, but it’s not like you’re stuck on the bench forever. That shouldn’t be the mentality.”