This past weekend’s slate looked like one of the stiffest tests Missouri soccer would face all year when the 2011 season schedule was released back in late June.
The Tigers hosted perennial national powerhouse Ohio State on Friday night and fellow Big Ten member Purdue for a Sunday matinee.
After upsetting the No. 7 Buckeyes 1-0 to start the weekend, MU completed the weekend sweep of its Big Ten foes by knocking off the Boilermakers by a final score of 4-2 to improve their record to 3-1.
Both coaches and players alike came away from the weekend’s action feeling very confident about themselves and their progress.
“The seniors did a great job getting this young group focused when they needed to be,” coach Bryan Blitz said. “Sunday games are always tough but we were impressed that our team bounced back from giving up an early goal. You don’t like to give up the early goal, but it’s good to see your team score quickly after both Purdue goals.”
“These wins were huge for us,” sophomore midfielder Danielle Nottingham said. “Ohio State and Purdue are both good teams, this is a confidence booster. Last year we got off to a slow start, but now we’re already on the right track.”
MU displayed flashes of brilliance in all facets of the game over the weekend. Redshirt freshman goalkeeper McKenzie Sauerwein stole the show Friday night, making three excellent saves en route to blanking the Buckeyes.
That performance was enough to earn her the starting nod Sunday, as coach Blitz opted to stray away from splitting time between Sauerwein and true freshman Caroline Stanley.
Sophomore midfielder Dominique Richardson tallied a goal in each of the weekend’s matches, setting an example of how to play for the rest of her teammates. Her fellow midfielders controlled the tempo of both games, and the back line of defense held strong all weekend, allowing just 12 shots on goal over the course of both matches.
“We worked really hard this past week in practice, and it showed off this weekend,” Richardson said. “We’re right where we need to be at this point.”
The Tigers possessed the ball for much of the game, keeping consistent pressure on Purdue’s keeper. MU fired 13 shots on target in addition to another five that went off the crossbar. The team’s pressing, up-tempo style led to its second four-goal output of the year.
Going into the season, the biggest issue facing this Tiger squad was where the offense would come from. Alysha Bonnick and Krista Kruse, who combined to tally 17 of MU’s 35 goals last year, both graduated.
The weekend’s performances may have buried that hatchet for good. Nottingham and Richardson each recorded their second goals of the season Sunday, and Alyssa Diggs and Abi Raymer also added goals of their own.
The increased offensive output has come with one of the team’s top attackers, junior Taiwo Adeshigbin, out with a concussion.
Along with Sunday’s quartet of goal scorers, freshman Kaysie Clark and senior Kendra Collins have also made a big impact upfront, supplying coach Blitz with a slew of legit scoring threats.
Those threats will get their next chance to showcase their talents this Friday, as the Tigers welcome Northern Arizona to Walton Stadium.
