SOCCER UPSET BY MISSOURI 2-0

Thursday, November 6

San Antonio, Texas

10:00AM

Colorado

15-3-1

Missouri (Quarterfinal)

10-9-1

Missouri

Colorado

SOCCER'S MUNNELLY SCORES ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

November 06, 2003 | Soccer

Box Score

By: CUBuffs.com

SAN ANTONIO - Top seeded and fifth-ranked Colorado was prematurely eliminated from the 2003 Big 12 Soccer Tournament when eighth-seeded Missouri avenged its first round loss to the Buffs a year ago and 3-2 loss in Boulder earlier this season with a 2-0 upset at the Blossom Soccer Complex here Thursday.

It is the first time since the tournament was expanded to an eight-team field in 1999 that the top seed was eliminated in the tournament opening game.

"They played with incredible emotion and like a team fighting for its life," said Big 12 Coach of the Year Bill Hempen. "And we played like we had nothing to gain by being here. I'm disappointed in myself for not having them better prepared."

It was the second time in six years that a Missouri team ousted the tournament's regular season champion, as the then-fifth seeded Tigers upset Baylor 3-2 in the 1998 semifinal round. It was also the second time in three Big 12 meetings between the Buffs and Tigers that the Tigers have come out on top as CU fell 5-3 during the 1999 tournament.

"It was frustrating, everything that bounced, bounced their way. They just wanted it more" said a discouraged Big 12 Player of the Year Fran Munnelly.

Colorado won the coin toss and took the ensuing kickoff, but it was Missouri that had the game's first chance to score when a Kristen Heil/Missy Peabody combination play forced a breakdown in CU's backfield within the 18 when Heil picked up the loose ball and her shot in the second minute went just wide of the left goal post.

The Buffs answered back a minute later when a Kathryn Grandinetti serve from the elbow of the six was nearly deflected into the goal by a Missouri defender before being cleared. Missouri came back at the Colorado defense when Adrienne Davis' shot was saved off the left post by CU keeper Jessica Keller, but rebounded before Keller could snatched the ball as she laid on her side in the fourth minute. Keller had to collect another shot by Heil in the 12th minute to prevent the score.

Colorado had its chances to take the game's first lead when the Buffs forced three corners in a five minute span, but two were broken up before the third corner in the 23rd minute was headed by second team all-Big 12 pick Tricia Regan, but went just high of the crossbar.

Missouri kept Colorado on defense most of the opening half, but it was CU that took its last three shots. In the 33rd minute, Katie Griffin's shot from the top of the 18 was slowed down before it reached Tiger keeper Megan Duncan. With 1:10 left in the half, an Ashlie Mihalcin cross from the right flank went between players and was picked up Ellen Falender whose shot from the top of the 18 was blocked. Fran Munnelly took the half's last shot with four ticks on the clock which went high and wide right.

On paper the first half was a more dominant game than it appeared on the pitch as the Buffs held the 9-5 edge in shots, but Missouri challenged Keller with four shots on goal while CU was blanked on the stat.

"They didn't get the fact that (despite winning the regular season title) no one has respect for us. We have to fight for everything we gain and defend it. But we weren't up for the task in any way, shape or form," Hempen said on halftime.

Colorado opened the second half on the offensive with the first two shots, but it was Missouri's Elyse Nikonchuck that broke the silence in the 50th minute. A Colorado foul just outside the top of the 18 set up a Tiger direct kick by Nikonchuck that sailed over CU's defensive wall and over Keller into the upper right 90 of to put the Tigers up 1-0.

Missouri nearly made it a 2-0 lead in the 64th minute when Amber Swinehart's bullet from inside the 18 was saved by Keller who gave up a rebound before re-collecting the ball. Nearly 10 minutes later, another CU foul outside the box set up another Missouri direct kick from 20 yards out. A soft touch from Swinehart to Melissa Griggs was crossed by Griggs and it brushed the crossbar before being sent back into play. A scramble for the ball followed when Griggs's shot was snuffed by Keller who came eight yards out to make the save.

Munnelly nearly knotted the game at a goal apiece when Regan came up field and served a long pass to Ashlie Mihalcin who was cutting into the box from the right flank. Mihalcin collected the ball and past it to Munnelly whose shot from just inside the 18 went wide left.

CU's second chance to make some noise in the 80^th minute with a direct kick from 25 yards out. Jen Thais short back pass to Munnelly also went wide left.

Missouri sealed the win when CU defenders Laura Munnelly and Ashlie Mihalcin collided as Missouri was headed down the field in transition. Missy Peabody served a pass to Heil on a two-on-one with CU defender Darci Smerchek left to take them on. As Peabody's pass was approaching Heil and Smerchek was trying to cover Heil, the ball hit Smerchek's hand and she was called for the handball in the penalty box. With 4:38 on the clock, the awarded penalty kick that was successfully converted by Karen Bauer for the 2-0 win.

"I don't blame Darci at all," said Hempen. "She was scrambling to get back for the other player. I have no problem with the call. I would have expected it."

With the loss, the remainder of the Buffs' postseason is now at the hands of the NCAA selection committee, which will announce its 64-team bracket Monday afternoon.

"I don't know how this affects us hosting first and second round games," said Hempen. "I would hope that those decisions (on host sites) have already been addressed. I'm just not sure."