Split Weekend For Hornet Soccer With Matchups Against Griffons and Bearcats

Women's Soccer | 10/30/2025 1:56:00 PM

Matches 16-17
Emporia State Hornets (8-5-2, 5-2-2 MIAA)
at Missouri Western Griffons (9-2-4, 5-2-2 MIAA)
Friday, Oct. 31, 2025 • 7:30 p.m •  St. Joseph, Mo. • Spratt Stadium
Series History: ESU leads 13-5-4 • Last Meeting: at ESU 1, MWSU 1 (11/1/24)

vs. Northwest Missouri Bearcats (10-4-0, 7-2-0 MIAA)
Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 • 1:00 p.m. • Emporia, Kan. • ESU Pitch
Series History: ESU leads 17-9-4 • Last Meeting: ESU 1, at NWMSU 0 (11/3/24)
The MIAA Network • Live Stats • Complete Notes in pdf

WEEKEND SPLIT
Emporia State splits up their weekend between the ESU Pitch and St. Joseph, Mo., as the Hornets take on Missouri Western on the road before returning home on Sunday for a match against the Bearcats.

LAST TIME OUT
The Hornets Nebraska-Kearney and Central Missouri last weekend from the ESU Pitch. Emporia State went 1-1 in their matchups with the Lopers and 12th-ranked Jennies. Central Missouri held on for a 1-0 win over Emporia State on Sunday, but only after the Hornets matched their season-high with five goals on Friday against the Lopers. Five different Hornets made their way onto the scoresheet, with Ella Favot and Megan Kephart both tallying three points in the match. 

ABOUT THE COACHES
Jane Grimley-Gunn is in year two at Emporia State in 2025 and has a 14-13-5 record with the Hornets.
Jacob Plocher is 30-13-13 in his third season at Missouri Western.
Marc Gordon is 59-53-19 in his eigth season at Northwest Missouri.

TOP GUNN
Jane Grimley-Gunn is in year two at the helm of Hornet Soccer and is 14-13-5. 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 8-5-2 on the season and 5-2-2 in the MIAA with three games remaining. The Hornets' 5-2-2 conference record equals 17 points in the standings, which surpassed the mark from Coach Grimley-Gunn's first season in 2024, and has also clinched a berth in the MIAA Tournament. Over the last nine matches, Megan Kephart and Ella Favot have made a consistent impact in the attack, as the two are tied for first in the MIAA in points in conference action. Favot has six goals on the season, with Kephart adding five of her own. Kephart has added a team-high six assists on the year. Other key contributors for Emporia State include Hailey Gancarz who has four 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 GRIFFONS
Missouri Western is 9-2-4 overall and are alongside the Hornets at 17 points in MIAA action with a 5-2-2 conference record. The Griffons began their season with Central region wins over Bemidji State and common opponent Northern State. As a team, the Griffons are tied for the fewest goals allowed this season, and have allowed more than one goal on just two occasions. Kendall Knisley is at the forefront of the attack, and has six goals and four assists for a team-high 16 points. Rachyl Benavides has three goals, while Aidyn Woodall, Camrin Peaslee and Rosemary Pujado each have two goals on their own.

SCOUTING THE BEARCATS 
Northwest Missouri is 10-4-0 this season with a 7-2-0 MIAA record this season. Similar to Missouri Western, the Bearcats have rolled out a strong defense all season, allowing just eight goals and more than one goal in just two matches. Makenna West has seven goals and an assist for a team-high 15 points. Margaret Madden and Lillie Shaw have four and two goals respectively while eight other Bearcat players have a goal this season.