* Number in parenthesis denotes TopDrawerSoccer preseason college ranking.

(20) MISSOURI RECAP
Last Season: 16-5-2, 7-3-0 in Big 12 Conference
Result:  Defeated Colorado 1-0 in Big 12 Tournament to win conference title; lost in second round of NCAA Tournament to Illinois
Head Coach: Bryan Blitz
Key Returners: F Alysha Bonnick (Jr.), F Kristin Andrighetto (Sr.), M Meghan Pfeiffer (Sr.), Crystal Wagner (Sr.), Kendra Collins (So.).
Key Subtraction: Mo Redmond (graduated)

Photos by: Shane Epping, University of Missouri

2009 Team Preview

Missouri coach Bryan Blitz prefers his team play a 3-4-3 formation, a high-risk, high-reward strategy that yields opportunity while confronting vulnerability.

In a way, the same could be said of the expectations for his 2009 team. Coming off the most successful season in the history of the school, Missouri can either falter under the weight of what’s expected of them, or they could thrive on it. Blitz sounds as though the group is prepared to do the latter.

“We’re looking to become consistently great,” Blitz said. “If you look at the top five programs in the country they’re consistent in the quality of what they do. That’s the biggest hurdle of having good talent and that’s what we’re trying to accomplish.”

The Tigers have been chosen by many to repeat as Big 12 champs, and for good reason. Junior Bonnick headlines a group of talented returners. Bonnick was recently named to the Hermann Trophy Watch List on the strength of her team-leading 11 goals a year ago.

For this team, however, it’s all about the strength of the seniors. Forwards Andrighetto and Michelle Collins along with midfielders Pfeiffer and Bree Thornton will be key in providing the team with leadership.

On the defensive side, preseason all-conference senior Wagner will patrol the backline in front of goalkeeper Tasha Dittamore, who posted a school-record 10 shutouts last season.

The youth movement is headed by Kendra Collins, who made the all-newcomer team in 2008 after playing in 23 games. She’ll try to lead the way for the 10 new freshmen who will be trying to make their mark and earn a contributing role on a team stacked with depth.

“Our depth will carry us,” Blitz said. “This is a big group and what I like is I think everyone on our team understands that winning is hard. They know there’s a fine line.

“We might have a target on our back this year; we’re certainly not going to sneak up on anybody.”


CURRENT TEAM ROSTER    

Name                  Position          Year          #     Hometown    
Jessica Gwin         Goalkeeper       Freshman    1     West Lafayette, (IN)    
Bree Thornton      Forward           Senior        2     Lake View Terrace, (CA)    
Meghan Pfeiffer     Forward           Senior        3     Chesterfield, (MO)    
Haley Krentz         Central Mid.      Freshman    4     Naperville, (IL)    
Kari Adam             Forward          Junior          5     Overland Park, (KS)    
Mallory Stipetich    Defender         Soph.          6     Liberty, (MO)    
Molly Sylvester      Defender         Freshman     7     Overland Park, (KS)    
Crystal Wagner     Defender         Senior          8     Houston, (TX)    
Krista Kruse          Central Mid.     Junior           9     Fort Collins, (CO)    
Jessie Crabtree      Forward          Soph.         10     Marion, (IL)    
Alysha Bonnick      Forward          Junior          11     North Gower    
Kellie Gavigan       Defender         Freshman     12    Libertyville, (IL)    
Sarah Thune        Defender         Freshman     13    Fontana, (WI)    
Michelle Collins      Forward           Senior         14    Naperville, (IL)    
Tasha Dittamore   Goalkeeper       Senior         15    Granite City, (IL)    
Kristin Andrighetto  Forward         Senior          16    Pleasant Hill, (CA)    
Kelsey Blincow      Central Mid.      Soph.          17    Lewisville, (TX)    
Brittany Hopkins    Central Mid.      Junior          18    Rochester Hills, (MI)    
Jessica Greer        Central Mid.       Freshman    19    Knob Noster, (MO)    
Kelsey Mulcahy     Defender          Freshman     20    Naperville, (IL)    
Kelsey Stokes      Central Mid.       Junior          22    Blue Springs, (MO)    
Kendra Collins      Central Mid.       Soph.          23    Naperville, (IL)    
Liz Gayer             Defender         Soph.           24    Columbia, (MO)    
Candace Ruff       Central Mid.      Soph.           25    Hinsdale, (IL)    
Stephanie Gilbert  Defender        Freshman       26    Oak Park, (CA)    
Edith Lopez         Central Mid.     Freshman       27    Columbia, (MO)    
Michelle Makasini   Central Mid.     Senior           55    Euless, (TX)