Women's Soccer | 8/30/2023 2:50:00 PM
Games 1-2
Emporia State Hornets (0-0-0, 0-0-0 MIAA)
at Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs (0-0-0, 0-0-0 GAC)
Thursday, Aug. 31 • 2:00 p.m. • SWOSU Soccer Field • Weatherford, Okla.
Series Record: SWOSU leads 1-0-1 •
Last Meeting: SWOSU 2, ESU 1 (9/2/12)
vs. #21 Minnesota State Mavericks (0-0-0, 0-0-0 NSIC)
Sunday, Sep. 3 • 1:00 p.m. • Bourke Field • Kansas City, Mo.
Series Record: MSU leads 1-0 •
Last Meeting: MSU 2, ESU 1 (OT) (11/9/18)
Up Next: at Tampa Friday, Sep. 8 • Pepin Stadium • Tampa, Fla
HIGH EXPECTATIONS
Emporia State opens their 2023 season against Southwestern Oklahoma and Minnesota State after ranking in the preseason top 25 for the second consecutive season.
LAST TIME OUT
The Hornets took on Bemidji State in the NCAA Central Regional Final. In the driving snow, Emporia State fell behind in the first half before
Mackenzie Dimarco scored from outside the box in the 78th minute to force the game into overtime. Emporia State eventually fell to the Beavers 3-1 in a penalty shootout as the Hornets finished their season 13-6-5 after making their first Central Regional Final in program history.
THE COACHES
Bryan Sailer is 107-82-29 in his 12th season at
Emporia State and is the winningest coach in program history and fifth winningest coach in MIAA history. He has a career record of 166-105-31 that includes coaching four years at the community college level. He has led the Hornets to nine straight .500 or better regular seasons, six straight MIAA Tournaments and back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.
Mark Persson is 145-89-33 in his 15th season at Southwestern Oklahoma. He is 1-0-1 against Emporia State.
Brian Bahl is 163-23-20 in his 11th season at Minnesota State. He is 1-0 against Emporia State.
SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Emporia State finished 13-6-5 last season and earned their first ever trip to the Central Regional Final.
Mackenzie Dimarco and
Hannah Woolery return to lead the Hornet attack after earning All-American honors last season. In defense,
Joanie Westcoat returns to anchor the backline after being named All-Region by the United Soccer Coaches after tallying ten assists in the 2022 season.
ABOUT SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA
The Bulldogs finished the 2022 season with a 9-5-7 record and earned a spot in the NCAA Central Regional after winning the GAC Tournament Championship. Southwestern Oklahoma is picked second in the GAC Preseason Poll and will be led by senior Micaela Swain who tallied ten points last season.
SERIES HISTORY
Southwestern Oklahoma leads the all-time series 1-0-1 against the Hornets.
LAST TIME VS. THE BULLDOGS
The Hornets fell in the second game of the 2012 season 2-1 against the Bulldogs.
ABOUT MINNESOTA STATE
The Mavericks finished the 2022 season with a 14-2-6 record and earned a spot in the NCAA Central Regional before falling to Bemidji State in the second round. Minnesota State is picked first in the NSIC this season and is led in attack by senior Allie Williams who was named the NSIC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
SERIES HISTORY
Minnesota State leads the series 1-0 over Emporia State.
LAST TIME VS. THE MAVERICKS
The Hornets and Mavericks met in the first round of the NCAA Central Regional in 2018 in Edmond, Okla. Emporia State fell 2-1 in overtime in the first NCAA Central Regional appearance in program history.
UP NEXT
The Hornets travel to Florida to take on Tampa on Friday, Sep. 8 at 5:30 p.m. ET before capping off the road trip with a match against Eckerd on Sunday, Sep. 10.
