Women's Soccer | 9/12/2024 4:51:00 PM
Matches 3-4
Emporia State Hornets (1-1-0)
vs. Northern State Wolves (0-1-1)
Friday, September 13 • 3:00 p.m. • Bismarck, ND
Series Record: NSU leads 1-0 •
Last Meeting: NSU 1, ESU 0 (OT) (10/28/01)
at UMary Marauders (1-1-0)
Sunday, September 15 • 1:00 p.m. • Bismarck, ND
Series Record: UMary leads 1-0 •
Last Meeting: UMary 2, ESU 1 (9/2/22)
BATTLES IN BISMARCK
Emporia State returns to NSIC territory this weekend for a pair of matches against Northern State and UMary in Bismarck, ND.
LAST TIME OUT
The Hornets made the trip to Minnesota to open the season for matches against Minnesota State and SW Minnesota State. After falling to the Mavericks in the opener, Emporia State rallied to defeat the Mustangs 3-0 in a match that included a goal from both Megan Jeremias and Abby Bachman.
FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING
Emporia State will be looking for their first win in program history against both Northern State and UMary as the Hornets fell in the previous matchup against both opponents.
TOP GUNN
Jane Grimley-Gunn is in year one at the helm of Hornet Soccer and is 1-1-0 with a roster that is balanced between 13 returners and 13 newcomers for 2024. Grimley-Gunn spent the previous two seasons as the head coach for Missouri S&T's women's program. In 2023, the Miners had their longest unbeaten streak to start a season since 1997 and made a trip to the GLVC Tournament for the fourth time in school history. She was 1-0-1 against the MIAA in her two years, defeating Missouri Southern and playing to a 0-0 tie against Washburn. Prior to her time in Rolla, Grimley-Gunn was the associate head coach at her alma mater Goldey-Beacom College for four years. In those four seasons, the Lightning went 48-24-4. She was also named a recipient of the "30 under 30" award by the United Soccer Coaches in 2019.
A LOOK AT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 1-1-0 through the first weekend after two matches against Central Region foes in Minnesota State and Southwest Minnesota State. The two goals scored by the Hornets this season are from Megan Jeremias and Abby Bachman in the match against the Mustangs. In goal, Mackenzi Goen has continued her role as the Hornets' keeper and has 11 saves while recording her sixth career shutout in the 3-0 win over Southwest Minnesota State. In addition to Bachman, Ruby Ryan, Madeline Bracy, Aubrey Seltman, Ella Ruliffson, Hadlie Lowe, Lily Simpson and Paige Putter have all played over 100 minutes through the first two matches. Eleven different Hornets have recorded a shot while Bachman, Lowe, Putter, Jeremias and Hailey Gancarz have record multiple shots through the first weekend.
ABOUT THE WOLVES
Northern State is 0-1-1 to start the season and is coming off a 9-4-5 season in 2023 where they finished third during the regular season in the NSIC. The Wolves have played both of their matches against upcoming Emporia State opponents as they fell to Drury and played to a draw against Missouri Western on the first weekend. Northern State has one goal through their first two matches which was scored by senior Megan Fastenau who has 20 career goals for the Wolves. The Wolves have used two goalkeepers this season, including senior Alexus Townsend who has ten saves in 135 minutes between the posts.
ABOUT THE MARAUDERS
UMary is 1-1-0 to start the season after a pair of matches against RMAC opponents, MSU-Billings and Black Hills State. The Marauders scored all three of their goals to start the season in the match against Black Hills State, as three different players recorded their first goal of the season. UMary has applied the pressure on attack through their first two matches, totaling 42 shots on the first weekend. On the defensive side, the Marauders have allowed just one goal, and they are led in goal by senior Molly Fischer who started every match and had ten shutouts in 2023.
