Crabtree lifts Missouri soccer team in season opener

Sophomore Jessie Crabtree scored her first goal and first points of her collegiate career to push the Missouri soccer team to a 3-2 victory Friday night in its season opener at Iowa.

Crabtree connected with 52 seconds to go, rebounding a shot by Kelsey Blincow then burying it from inside the penalty area. After taking an early lead, the Tigers had to rally to win, tying the game on senior Michelle Collins' goal off a corner kick with fewer than six minutes to play.

Senior Kristin Andrighetto had given Missouri an 1-0 advantage with her 28th career goal in the 23rd minute. But Iowa came back with scores from senior Alex Seydel near the end of the first half and sophomore Morgan Showalter at the start of the second half.

The No. 13 Tigers outshot the Hawkeyes 16-9, and senior goalkeeper Tasha Dittamore made four saves in the nonconference victory. Dittamore did well early, making three saves in a four-minute span halfway through the first period.

Missouri plays its home opener at 6:30 p.m. next Friday against Northwestern.