Home Stand Continues for Hornet Soccer Against Lopers and #12 Jennies

Women's Soccer | 10/23/2025 1:03:00 PM

Matches 14-15
Emporia State Hornets (7-4-2, 4-1-2 MIAA)
vs. Nebraska-Kearney Lopers (2-7-4, 0-4-4 MIAA)
Friday, October 24 • 1:00 p.m. • Emporia, Kan. • ESU Pitch
Series History: ESU leads 13-6-3 • Last Meeting: at UNK 3, ESU 2 (10/25/24)

vs. #12 Central Missouri Jennies (8-2-4, 5-0-3 MIAA)
Sunday, October 26 • 1:00 p.m. • Emporia, Kan. • ESU Pitch
Series History: UCM leads 28-9-2 • Last Meeting: at UCM 2, ESU 0 (10/27/24)
The MIAA Network • Live Stats • Complete Notes in pdf

HOME STAND CONTINUES
Emporia State is set to host Nebraska-Kearney and #12 Central Missouri this weekend from the ESU Pitch.

LAST TIME OUT
The Hornets hosted both Rogers State and Northeastern State from the ESU Pitch, which featured senior recognition following the match against the Riverhawks on Sunday afternoon. On Friday against the Hillcats, the Hornets scored the first two of the match, with both coming from Megan Kephart, before Rogers State was able to force a 2-2 draw. On Sunday, Northeastern State scored the first two, and the Hornets were unable to complete a comeback despite a second-half goal by Hailey Gancarz.

ABOUT THE COACHES
Jane Grimley-Gunn is in year two at Emporia State in 2025 and has a 13-12-5 record with the Hornets.
Rob Breton is 13-41-14 in his fourth season at Nebraska-Kearney.
Lewis Theobald is 316-53-31 in his 19th season at Central Missouri.

TOP GUNN
Jane Grimley-Gunn is in year two at the helm of Hornet Soccer and is 13-12-5. 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 7-4-2 on the season and 4-1-2 midway through the MIAA season. The Hornets' 4-1-2 conference record equals 14 points in the standings, which ties the mark from the 2024 campaign. Over the last seven matches, Megan Kephart and Ella Favot have made a consistent impact in the attack, as the two are tied for second in the MIAA in points in conference action. Favot has five goals on the season, with Kephart adding four of her own. Kephart has added a team-high five assists on the year. Other key contributors for Emporia State include Hailey Gancarz who has three goals, and Madeline Bracy, Avery Zimmerman and Megan Jeremias who have each scored two of their own. Along the backline, Abby Bachman, Peyton Pipes, Ruby Ryan and Aubrey Seltman have all been staples in defense. 

SCOUTING THE LOPERS
Nebraska-Kearney is 2-7-4 overall and 0-4-4 in the MIAA entering the weekend, and the Lopers have struggled so far this season after making their first trip to the MIAA Tournament last season since the 2015 campaign. The Lopers have tallied just six goals this season, with three coming in their final non-conference match, a 3-0 win over Western Colorado. In MIAA action, the Lopers have draws against Pittsburg State, Missouri Southern, Newman and Central Missouri. Daniella Iaquinta and Anna Thorhallsdottir both have two goals which is tied for the team-high. In goal, Susie Bovaird has started 12 matches and faced a litany of shots, 158 in total in just over 1,000 minutes played as she has tallied 58 saves this season.

SCOUTING THE JENNIES 
Central Missouri is 8-2-4 on the season, and still unbeaten in MIAA action with a 5-0-3 record. The Jennies are ranked #12 in the latest United Soccer Coaches Poll and are tied with Northwest Missouri at the top of the MIAA standings. Mikayla Ernst has led the Jennies in attack all season, and has built on her first two years in Warrensburg. Ernst has 11 goals and five assists equaling 27 points. Her 11 goals are tied for fourth in the nation and her 27 points are tied for the second-best mark. Patsy O'Brien and Izzy Joyce both have double-digit points and seven goal contributions on the season. In goal, Kristen Wright has started all 14 matches, and has allowed just seven goals while tallying seven shutouts.