Weekday soccer update
Junior forward Kristin Andrighetto blasted shots from all over the field in Missouri's 2-1 win against Iowa last Friday. She led the Tigers with seven shots, three on goal. But Andrighetto's aggressiveness is nothing new.
What was different Friday was Andrighetto starting the game. Missouri's leading goal scorer last season finally passed MU's fitness test, allowing her to start.
Andrighetto will shoot anytime and from anywhere, and her style is far different from Missouri's other forwards. Junior forward Michelle Collins and sophomore forward Alysha Bonnick create scoring opportunities by weaving through defenders and getting open in front of the goal. Andrighetto usually tries to beat the goalie by firing a shot into a corner of the net.
"I think that's who she (Andrighetto) is, but most of the time those things work out, so we encourage her to take as many risks as she wants to," coach Bryan Blitz said.\
Andrighetto contributed to the Tigers outshooting Iowa 22-8. Blitz said MU's goal is to get off at least 20 shots each game.
Junior midfielder Bree Thornton's goal in the fifth minute was Missouri's second first-half goal of the season. The Tigers went the first five games without tallying a goal in the first 45 minutes, but they've scored in the first half in each of last two games. Blitz said MU knew an early goal would open up the game, though Collins waited until the 74th minute to score the game's decisive goal.
Blitz said the Hawekeyes adjusted their game plan to contain Thornton after Missouri's right-winger scored her first goal of the season. Thornton's play has been inconsistent, but she played one of her best games of the season last Friday.
Blitz said the Tigers didn't panic after Iowa tied the game in the 65th minute, something they might have done last year.
Missouri's aggressive 3-4-3 system puts immense pressure on the Tigers' three defenders. Seniors Kat Tarr and Janelle Cordia and junior Crystal Wagner have helped hold opponents to just two goals in MU's last four games. At times, though, Missouri's back three seems to play risky, waiting for just the right bounce to clear a ball away.
"It looks scary, but they have it," Blitz said. "They're just always going to be under pressure, and that's why we have to defend better up front for them to be under pressure for less time."
Junior goalkeeper Tasha Dittamore had an excellent game against Iowa and continues to get better each game. Dittamore, second in the Big 12 with three shutouts, has played every minute at goalkeeper this season, keeping senior Mallory Forst on the bench.
