Women's Soccer | 9/3/2025 10:30:00 AM
Matches 1-2
Emporia State Hornets (0-0-0)
at #14 Drury Panthers (0-0-0)
Thursday, Sep. 4 • 6:00 p.m. • Springfield, Mo.
Series History: Tied 2-2-1 • Last Meeting: ESU 1, DU 1 (9/8/25)
Watch • Live Stats • Complete Notes in pdf
vs #25 Maryville Saints (0-0-0)
Saturday, Sep. 6 • 12:00 p.m. • Springfield, Mo.
Series History: First Meeting • Last Meeting: First Meeting
Live Stats • Complete Notes in pdf
YEAR 2 STARTS IN SPRINGFIELD
Emporia State is set to begin their second season under Jane Grimley-Gunn with matches against two top 25 opponents in #14 Drury and #25 Maryville in Springfield, Mo.
2024 IN REVIEW
The Hornets went 6-8-3 last season and 4-6-2 in the MIAA in year one under Grimley-Gunn. 13 different players found their way onto the scoresheet last season, including three-year returning starter Abby Bachman who scored twice and added four assists. Bachman is the leading returner in points with eight, while Megyn Mahloch and Megan Jeremias tallied seven and six points respectively. In goal, Mackenzi Goen made 69 saves as a junior across 1,358 minutes played.
ABOUT THE COACHES
Jane Grimley-Gunn is entering year two at Emporia State in 2025 and has a 6-8-3 record with the Hornets.
Justin Olson is 55-21-19 entering his sixth season at Drury and is coming off his best season leading the Panthers.
Lori Lawson is her seventh season leading the Saints and has a 87-25-26 career record at Maryville.
TOP GUNN
Jane Grimley-Gunn is in year two at the helm of Hornet Soccer and is 6-8-3 through her first season. 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 enters 2025 with a mixed group of experienced upperclassmen and newcomers, including 11 freshman on the roster. Abby Bachman and Mackenzi Goen are at the forefront of the upperclassmen, as the two have played in 64 and 53 matches respectively over their first three seasons at Emporia State. Bachman is the leading returner in points from 2024 with eight after tallying two goals and four assists. Goen has played over 4,000 minutes in her Hornet career, which is the fourth most in program history. Notable newcomers that will look to make an impact in their first season with the Hornets include Morgan Davis, Kylie Richardson, Dahlia Placino, and Ella Favot among several others.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS
Drury is coming off a 16-3-4 season in 2024, as they posted the highest winning percentage (.783) in program history. The 16 wins were tied with their 2021 season for second-most in program history. Holland Hawkins is the leading returing goalscorer for the Panthers, totaling 11 last season, which also tied for third-most in the GLVC. In goal, Katy Fitzler started all 23 matches and allowed just 13 goals in her sophomore season. As a team, Drury advanced to the Midwest Regional Championship before falling to Grand Valley State.
ABOUT THE SAINTS
Maryville finished 16-1-3 and 13-0-1 in the GLVC on their way to a regular season and tournament GLVC championship. The Saints' 16 wins are the most since winning 16 in 2004. The Saints went unbeaten through the regular season and GLVC tournament before eventually falling to Grand Valley State in the first round of the Midwest Regional. Elsa Nilson-Hurtig and Ashlyne Hunt both return for the Saints after scoring 11 goals each in 2024. Freshman Agnes Vilen started all 20 matches for the Saints, allowing just nine goals and totaling 48 saves.
