Women's Soccer | 10/31/2024 10:49:00 AM
Matches 15-16
Emporia State Hornets (5-7-2, 3-5-1 MIAA) vs Missouri Western Griffons (14-0-2, 9-0-1 MIAA)
Friday, November 1, 2024 • 2:00 p.m. • Emporia, Kan. • ESU Pitch
Series History: ESU leads 13-5-3 • Last Meeting: ESU 4, MWSU 3 (10/8/23)
Emporia State (5-7-2, 3-5-1 MIAA) at Northwest Missouri Bearcats (7-3-6, 5-2-3 MIAA)
Sunday, November 3, 2024 • 1:00 p.m. • Maryville, Mo. • Bearcat Pitch
Series History: ESU leads 16-9-4 • Last Meeting: ESU 3, NWMSU 0 (11/3/23)
SPLIT WEEKEND
Emporia State will be splitting their weekend between the ESU Pitch and the Show Me State as they host Missouri Western on Friday before traveling to Maryville to take on Northwest Missouri.
LAST TIME OUT
The Hornets hit the road for a lengthy weekend trip, taking on Nebraska-Kearney on Friday and the Central Missouri on Sunday. Emporia State held 1-0 and 2-1 leads following a pair of corner kick goals against the Lopers. UNK grabbed a second half goal that proved to be the difference. Against the Jennies, UCM scored twice in the first half, which led to a 2-0 final score between Emporia State and Central Missouri.
A LOOK AT THE COACHES
Jane Grimley-Gunn is in year one at the helm of Hornet Soccer and is 5-7-2 on the season with a roster of 13 returners and 13 newcomers. Grimley-Gunn spent the previous two seasons as the head coach at Missouri S&T and this is her first meeting against both the Lopers and Riverhawks.
Jacob Plocher is in his second season at Missouri Western and has a 19-8-8 record with the Griffons.
Marc Gordon is in his seventh year with the Bearcats and has a 49-45-19 record at Northwest Missouri.
A LOOK AT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 5-7-2 on the season and currently 3-5-1 in the MIAA. The Hornets have had a host of contributors within the attack this season, as 13 different players have recorded a goal on the season while four have score multiple goals. Hadlie Lowe, Megan Jeremias and Megyn Mahloch each have three goals this season, sharing the team-high. Abby Bachman has both two goals and three assists this season and is tied with Lowe for the team-high with 19 shots on the season. Bachman is also one of three outfield players with over 1,000 minutes played this season along with Ruby Ryan and Aubrey Seltman. In goal, Mackenzi Goen has started 13 matches on the season and has 54 saves and a .750 save percentage. In the match against Rogers State, she recorded her eighth career shutout, tying Nikki Schmitz (2009-12) for fourth-most in program history.
ABOUT THE GRIFFONS
Missouri Western is 14-0-2 this season and 9-0-1 in the MIAA, currently sitting in first place. The Griffons are currently ranked #15 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll and second in the Central Region poll. The attack features five players with three or more goals, including Lauren Nylund who has a team-high five on the season. In addition to Nylund, Rachyl Benavides, Kendall Knisley and Aidyn Woodall each have ten points. In goal, Keeley Kroonenberg has started 14 of 16 matches and has a save percentage of .872 and seven shutouts.
ABOUT THE BEARCATS
Northwest Missouri is 7-3-6 on the season and 5-2-3 in the MIAA, currently sitting in fourth place. The Bearcats have outscored their opponents 26-17 this season, and rank top half in the MIAA in goals, assists, goals allowed and saves. Ekaterina Theoharidis and Ximena Arnau lead the way in attack, as they have eight and six goals respectively. Along with Theoharidis, Makenna West has four assists which is tied for the team-high. In goal, Lily Ellis has started 14 of 16 matches and has 98 saves with six shutouts on the season.
