ST. JOSEPH- Setting new expectations are something Griffon soccer has become accustomed to the last three seasons under head coach Chad Edwards.  Each of the previous three seasons, Missouri Western has bettered its record and reached postseason play. In 2017, MWSU looks to continue the trend of setting new expectations and fighting to be one of the top teams in the MIAA as it returns three all-MIAA selections and 13 letter winners from last season.

Cassidy Menke not only had one of the best seasons in program history, she became the program's first-ever first team All-MIAA selection in 2016. Last season, Menke set single-season records with nine goals and 19 points. She knocked in six game-winning goals which again set a program record. As MWSU looks to better itself, Menke will try to build another record breaking season in 2017.

Defensively, the Griffons return Ashlyn Powers, Paige Phipps and Sarah Blakley to the backline. The defensive trio helped Missouri Western to limit opponents to just 1.3 goals against and 0.5 shots on goal in 2016. Both Powers and Phipps were named All-MIAA for the second time in their careers for their work last season; as Blakley was able to score three goals, second-best on the team.

MWSU will feature a veteran presence in goal for 2017 as Lexie Martin and Sarah Lyle both enter the season with previous starting experience. In 2016, Martin went 6-2-1 and was responsible for five of the teams' eight shutouts. She recorded 33 saves with a save percentage of 0.79 percent. Sarah Lyle's previous three seasons each rank in top 10 in program history for saves, highlighted by 111 in 2013. She earned second team All-MIAA in 2014 and 2015 as well.

Missouri Western opens the regular season by hosting the Stoney Creek Inn MIAA-GAC Challenge with Ouachita Baptist on Friday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. and Harding University on Sunday, Sept. 3 at 2 p.m. The Griffons were selected sixth in the preseason MIAA polls with Central Missouri picked first. For complete MIAA preseason rankings, click here.