Tag Archives: Christine Cross

Brewer Wins His 200th, Missouri State Lady Bears Face TN-Martin Sunday

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Grace Cross, MSU (2013) battles Jacqueline Paz, UALR (2012)

Grace Cross, MSU (2013) battles Jacqueline Paz, UALR (2012)

Missouri State Bears – 3
Arkansas Little Rock – 0
From the Missouri State Bears –

The Missouri State women’s soccer team (1-1-0) opened the home regular season schedule with a convincing 3-0 win over visiting UALR (0-3-0) Friday night at Plaster Field. Freshman Tiffany Laughlin scored twice, including the game winner, to give head coach Rob Brewer his 200th career head women’s soccer coaching victory.

“Our offense was much better tonight,” said Brewer. “We were able to connect better on our serves and we got a lot of pressure on their defense. We have good athletes up front and it proved to be successful tonight.”

The Bears got on the board in the 26th minute when Christine Cross hit a streaking Brooke Williams up the left side. Williams dribbled to the edge of the box and found a wide open Laughlin who drilled the ball into the empty net.

Missouri State doubled its lead in the 41st minute when freshman Shelby Stewart centered a pass and Rachel Weimer headed it into an open net.

The Lady Bears were clearly the better squad tonight, seen from the pre-game warmup and throughout the game. The Trojans were a disciplined team led by midfield Jacqueline Paz. The team defended in numbers and had a clear idea of how they were going to advance the ball and it all started with Paz. While the Bears never adjusted tactically to that situation, they were able to beat UALR with their team speed and technical skills. That advantage was most clear when the midfield included Grace Cross and Kathleen Kujawa in the middle, flanked by Katelyn Fredrickson and Brooke Williams. That’s three freshman and a sophomore (Cross) so it might take some time for that lineup to solidify it’s role on the team but that’s my expectation.

The back line is set with senior Jordan Reppell, featured on this years poster, along with Sarah Linsin who moves into the middle to join her. Nia Williams starts her second year on the outside right and junior Christine Cross, Grace’s sister, holds down the left outside position. Jennifer Hamlin is the backup.

Up front, sophomore Rachel Weimer is the key to this team. Her work rate on both offense and defense will help take pressure off of the midfield but it’s her ability to break down defenses with her speed and go-to-goal mentality that creates the greatest opportunity. Freshman Tiffany Laughlin was the primary beneficiary last night, but Jessica Roberts (Mt Grove/SSC) and Shelby Stewart (Parkview/SSC) will get plenty of minutes, allowing Head Coach Brewer the opportunity to go with the hot hand. Stewart also moved to outside midfield briefly which gives the Bears three fleet wing midfielders capable of creating havoc.

This could be another quality season or it will turn into a growing season as the freshman learn the realities of Missouri Valley Conference play. I’m looking forward to seeing it develop.

The Bears host Tennessee-Martin on Sunday at 1:00 pm on Sunday at Plaster Stadium. Tenn-Martin played Arkansas State to a 2-2 double-overtime tie at the ASU Soccer Complex last Sunday. The Red Wolves outshot the Skyhawks 18-16 including taking 12 shots on goal to UTM’s nine.

Additional photos will follow tonight or tomorrow.

Missouri State Bears And Missouri Southern Lions Close Spring Season

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The women were on the turf this evening at Plaster Stadium, getting in the final game of the Spring season between storms today. The Bears won 3-1 as both teams were working with depleted rosters due to injuries and graduation. I’ve got a few videos, including the one below featuring Christine Cross getting into the box down the right side and putting her shot to the far side netting. Enjoy!

Late game save by Missouri Southern keeper, Shannon Kuhn

Missouri State’s Samantha Aguilar hits one just over the crossbar

Missouri State Bears Shut Out Tulsa Golden Hurricane

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Missouri State Bears Shut Out Tulsa Golden HurricanesMissouri State - 1
Tulsa Golden Hurricane – 0
Another positive result at Plaster this afternoon as the Lady Bears got the job done against their regional foes from Oklahoma. The goal was scored from a set piece, when Christine Cross was taken down on a hard tackle in front of the Bears bench. Sophomore Jordan Reppell came up from her sweeper position and her ball into the box was well-weighted, with senior Allie Osmundson’s header falling into Jenna Laughlin’s path. Laughlin’s header in the 59th minute, moments before colliding with the goal-keeper, was all the margin the Bear’s needed today to move to 3-1 on the season.

The game was a back-and-forth affair as both teams worked to get numbers into the box. The Hurricane were coming off a strong game in Fayetteville Friday night, where they shut out the Razorbacks. The same team that shut out the Bears a week ago. The difference today was a team that showed more pace and fight, certainly taking more responsibility in the defensive third this time around as the Hurricane had two excellent chances late, including in the final minute.

Missouri State’s goalkeeper Jackie Jasper was tabbed with the win recording five saves in the match. With the victory, Jasper is tied with the most goalkeeper wins (33) in Missouri State history.

Friday’s College Report

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bearhead_125.jpgMissouri State Bears – 1
SEMO Redhawks – 0
This is a very good result for the Bears, getting the win on a 50th minute goal from their midfield general, sophomore Samantha Aguilar. Sophomore midfielder Christine Cross earned the assist as she led Aguilar with a pass that resulted in a goal in the bottom left corner of the net. Tara Bailes (Catholic 2008) once again played significant minutes in midfield.

The Redhawks posted a 12-3-4 record last season while capturing their second consecutive Ohio Valley Conference tournament championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. It looks like they were missing a key player, Casey Kraft (St. Louis, Mo./Nerinx Hall) who does not show up in the box score but is expected to lead their offense this season. UPDATE – Southeast suffered a bad break before the game when senior standout Casey Kraft rolled an ankle in warmups. She did not play, but Nelson doesn’t believe the injury is serious.

The Bears will host Tulsa at home on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 pm

Missouri Southern LionsMissouri Southern Lions – 2 (2 OT)
Abilene Christian – 1
The Lions gave up a goal in the 47th minute to create a 1-0 deficit, only to see their senior leader Nikki Llewellyn tie the game in the 88th minute and get the game winner in the 105th minute to earn the win in their home opener. Megan Dimza assisted on the first goal, Shannon Kuhn on the second. UPDATE – They were the 39th and 40th goals of Llewellyn’s career.

Sophomore Lindsay Altman (Joplin 2007) and freshman Brianna McKenzie (Webb City) both earned minutes in the match, with McKenzie getting 1 shot off from her midfield position.

Missouri Southern Lions – 1
Texas A&M International – 2 (OT)
The Lions took the initial lead in the game, getting a goal from freshman Kevin Aubuchon, assisted by sophomore Nate Evans (Cassville 2007) in the 76th minute. The home team tied it on a 30 yard free kick from right wing in the 85th and got the game-winner 5 minutes into OT from a cross into the box. Stuart Ziegler (West Plains 2008) and Jesse Clevenger (College Heights 2006) both started for the Lions.

Miners Logo headMissouri S&T Miners – 3
Ashland Eagles – 1
Brooke Ryan and freshman Melissa Young scored second half goals for the Lady Miners, who won a season opening contest for the first time since beating Winona State to start the 2003 campaign.

Missouri S&T Miners – 3
Ashland Eagles – 4
S&T tied the score again at the 62:08 mark when Mario Calderon redirected a ball from Brandon Moore (Rolla 2005) past goalkeeper Ryan Cruise to knot the score at three. But moments later, the Miners were whistled for a foul in the penalty area and Tom Mangotic made the penalty kick for what turned out to be the Eagles decisive goal.