Missouri Tigers
Overall Rank: # 39
Conference Rank: #6 SEC
Missouri Team Page
The Tigers' inaugural SEC season could be seen as one of success, as they won 12 of their first 14 games of the season, including upsets of Memphis and Cal, who were each ranked in the top 15 when Missouri beat them. However, Missouri would go on to win just two of its remaining eight games and bowed out of the NCAA Tournament after a first-round shootout loss to Illinois. With experience in their new league, the Tigers look to improve on their 8-5 record from the SEC last season and lose just three starters from last year's squad.
2012 Record: 14-7-1, 8-5
2012 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Bryan Blitz
Strengths:
One of the strengths the Tigers have coming into this season is the strength of numbers. The squad returns eight starters and 15 letter winners from last year's team. The Tigers return three of last year's top five leading scorers, including Alyssa Diggs, who had a team-high eight goals last season. Also back are Dominique Richardson and Kaysie Clark, who scored four goals each. McKenzie Sauerwein played every minute in goal for the Tigers and returns for her junior season. Fourteen of the players last season saw action in double digit matches so the experience is there and the opportunity to step up will be there for some players, such as Lauren Flynn, Danielle Nottingham and Taylor Grant.
Weaknesses:
Unfortunately for the Tigers, three players, Haley Krentz,Taiwo Adeshigbin and Abi Raymer, who had a giant role in the offense, are no longer on the squad. The first two have graduated, while Raymer is no longer on the roster but is student at the school. Adeshigbin was second on the team with seven goals, as was Raymer. Krentz scored three times but had 10 assists. Finding replacements for the three will be vital for the Tigers' success. Who will replace Krentz's assist total? Nottingham was second on last year's squad with four.
Final Projection:
The Tigers are loaded with experience. The youth that may have plagued the team in recent years have become veterans with NCAA Tournament experience. Having Diggs back is key, as she will lead the way offensively in her last year in Columbia, Missouri. Clark and Richardson have shown flashes of offensive power and if any of the other players can step up or if any of the freshmen step in and contribute right away, the team has a chance to be better than last year's squad. Sauerwein is solid in goal, having given up 28 goals in over 2,000 minutes of game time last season. The schedule is challenging, as the team welcomes Pacific to Missouri, before heading to play at Memphis and participate in a tournament against Baylor and San Diego. Also included in the schedule is a meeting against perennial power Portland. If the Tigers can replace that scoring, a run deep into the NCAA Tournament is possible.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Alyssa Diggs, Senior, F, 8
Assists: Danielle Nottingham, Junior, M/F, 4
Shots: Dominique Richardson, Senior, 59
Saves: McKenzie Sauerwein, Junior, 92
Madness 2013 Women’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#102 Katherine Morris
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