Drury Inn Classic Website
Missouri Western soccer sets to begin its eighth season this weekend as the Griffons host the Drury Inn Classic also known as the GAC/MIAA Challenge.
Emporia State, East Central and Southwestern Oklahoma State join Missouri Western as it starts its season at Spratt Stadium. The Griffons open up the season playing Southwestern Oklahoma State at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31 then take the field at 2:30 p.m. Sunday against East Central.
MWSU returns a lot of its team from 2011, including MIAA Honorable Mention goalkeeper
Kelly Voigts, who is set to play her final season as a Griffon.
Adding to the Griffons senior leadership will be defender
Erin Widrig and midfielder
Ashlyn Castillo.
Sophomore
K.C. Ramsell returns at the forward position. Ramsell started all 14 games last season, and led the team with five goals, including two goals in a game twice. Ramsell is currently tied for 8th all-time in goals scored.
MWSU does lose all-time leader in goals,
Audrey Henderson, who scored 11 at Missouri Western and graduated last spring.
Sydney Andrews steps in as a freshman to help the Griffons add more wins this season. Andrews recently won an gold medal in the 2012 Deaf Soccer World Cup in Turkey, and brings athleticism as she can play either the midfielder position or defender.
About Southwestern Oklahoma State -- MWSU holds a 2-0 edge over the Bulldogs. Southwestern Oklahoma State finished 6-11-2 last season, which included a 2-0 loss against the Griffons last season. Southwestern Oklahoma State starts forward Kelsey Visor, a 5'9 junior who led her team with seven goals last season.
About East Central -- The Griffons hold a slight 3-2 advantage over the Tigers, who finished 12-6-1 last season that included the first-ever regular season and post-season championship in Great American Conference. Riley Bailey is at the helm for East Central, who holds a 23-25-5 record in three seasons as head coach.
Up Next – MWSU takes the field in Liberty, Mo. just two days after the classic, facing William Jewell College at 7 p.m. Tuesday night. The non-conference matchup will be the first time these two squads have met.
