Big 12 champs get their kicks
Senior midfielder Bree Thornton and freshman midfielder Haley Krentz clash in midair during practice. Photo by Shane Epping.
After winning the 2008 Big 12 tournament title, the Mizzou women’s soccer team didn’t expect to sneak up on anybody this year. They didn’t have to. The Tigers have earned the regular-season championship — the university’s first in any sport since softball in 1997 — and the top seed in this week’s tournament.
Mizzou (12-5-3, 7-1-2) takes the field at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday against Kansas. The tournament, held in San Antonio, features the top eight finishers in the conference. All games can be seen on Big12sports.com, and the final will air on Fox Sports Net.
The Tigers use a high-risk, high-reward style of play, constantly attacking with three forwards. Not coincidentally, Mizzou leads the Big 12 in goals, assists and points. And with seven seniors who play important roles on the team, they don’t want the ride to end just yet.
“(These seniors) have a little more experience than some of the other senior classes with playing and consistently winning, but due to all my former classes, we’re here,” coach Bryan Blitz told the Missourian. “I think that’s what sets us apart, that they were so persistent and they never give up.”
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