August 29, 2026 – Emporia State soccer came out on top against #21 Maryville in their season opener, downing the Saints 3-2 on Saturday at the ESU Pitch.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hornets and Saints each had two shots in the first 25 minutes before the visitors got on the board first. A pair of Saints players linked up with Kelsey Wentland in the 27th minute to put Maryville ahead 1-0. Emporia State wasted little time responding, as they found the equalizer just five minutes later of the foot of Ava Huston.
Emporia State won a free kick near midfield, and Ava Huston received the long ball from Madeline Bracy to beat the Maryville keeper off the right post and tied the score at 1-1. Maryville had three shots compared to just one by the Hornets over the rest of the first 45 minutes, but the score remained deadlocked at 1-1 entering the break.
Following the halftime interval, both teams tallied multiple attempts before Emporia State found the breakthrough to take the lead. Megan Kephart received a long ball from Sammy Quiroz, and after turning towards the middle, beat the keeper from the top of the box to put the Hornets ahead in the 63rd minute.
Maryville then turned up the pressure, trying to find their way in to tie the match once more, but the Hornets used their one shot after the Kephart goal to double their advantage.
Emporia State won a free kick near midfield, and after playing the ball long towards the Maryville box, Quiroz kept the ball in play near the touchline and found the head of Ruby Ryan who beat the keeper to the back post and gave the Hornets a 3-1 advantage.
The visitors were able to grab one goal back minutes later, closing the gap in half, but Emporia State held off the Saints to seal the 3-2 win in the home opener.
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Maryville held the advantage in shots and shots on goal, forcing eight saves from Terra Rybuck in goal on the day. Ava Huston and Ruby Ryan's goal were each their first of the season and Huston's first of her career. Kephart has now scored in each of the Hornets' first two matches this season.
UP NEXT
Emporia State will have another split week coming, which begins with another home match on Wednesday, September 2 against Rockhurst at 4:00 p.m. on the ESU Pitch.
NOTES:
This was Emporia State's first win over a ranked opponent since a 3-2 win at then #16 Washburn on November 9, 2025 in last year's MIAA Tournament.
