Sunday Matchup for Hornet Soccer Against Tigers

Women's Soccer | 10/3/2025 1:00:00 PM

Match 9
Emporia State Hornets (5-3-0, 2-0-0 MIAA)
vs Fort Hays State Tigers (2-4-1, 0-1-1 MIAA)
Sunday, Oct. 5 • 1:00 p.m. • Emporia, Kan. • ESU Pitch
Series History: FHSU leads 9-7-9 • Last Meeting: ESU 1, at FHSU 1 (10/6/24)
The MIAA Network • Live Stats • Complete Notes in pdf

TEN IN FIVE
Emporia State hosts Fort Hays State on Sunday afternoon at the ESU Pitch. The meeting will be the tenth matchup between the Hornets and Tigers in the last five seasons, with seven of the previous ending in a tie or a win by a single goal.

LAST TIME OUT
The Hornets traveled south along I-35 for opening weekend of the MIAA schedule for matches against both Newman and Central Oklahoma. Emporia State got the weekend started with a 3-1 win over the Jets, which featured two Hornet goals in the final ten minutes to seal with win. On Sunday, Central Oklahoma played host to the Hornets and Emporia State showed out with strong defense and long range goals. Following a stalemate between the two teams for the first 60 minutes, Mikhaela Goen provided the breakthrough, scoring from distance to beat the UCO goalkeeper and put the Hornets ahead. Ella Favot, who scored twice in the Newman match, put the day on ice with a strike near the top of the box to find the lower left corner and solidify the 2-0 win and 2-0 weekend.

ABOUT THE COACHES
Jane Grimley-Gunn is in year two at Emporia State in 2025 and has a 11-11-3 record with the Hornets.
Tyson John is 33-20-15 in his now fourth season with Tigers and is 1-2-4 against the Hornets the previous three years.

TOP GUNN
Jane Grimley-Gunn is in year two at the helm of Hornet Soccer and is 11-11-3. 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 5-3 on the season and 2-0 through the first weekend of MIAA action. The Hornets picked up road wins last week against both Newman and Central Oklahoma. In the two matches, Ella Favot scored three goals, included what proved to be the game-winner against the Jets, on her way to MIAA Offensive Athlete of the Week honors. Megan Kephart and Mikhaela Goen both also scored last week, with Kephart's icing the game against Newman and Goen's proving to be the winner over Central Oklahoma. Favot has a team-high four goals, with Peyton Pipes and Madeline Bracy next up with two each. Ten different Hornets have already found the back of the net this season. On defense, Emporia State has posted their first two shutouts over the last three matches, with Peyton Pipes, Aubrey Seltman, Ruby Ryan and Abby Bachman are playing key roles in the midfield and backline.

SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Fort Hays State is 2-4-1 to begin the season, and 0-1-1 after the first week of MIAA action. The Tigers outscored SW Minnesota State and New Mexico Highlands 10-0 in their two wins this season, but have struggled offensively in their other five, which has ended up with three one-goal defeats. This is year four under head coach Tyson John and the Tigers have proved to be a strong defensive team in the first three seasons under John, especially in seven matchups with the Hornets. Sydney Cotter and Chaley French are leading the way with four goals each this season, as the two combined for five goals in a 7-0 win over NM Highlands. Hadley Ostrander has started all seven matches in goal with 23 saves and three shutouts this season. Other key contributors for Fort Hays State along the backline are upperclassmen Megan Wiman and Saylor Richard, who have more than 550 minutes played.