MWSU Season Stats | MIAA Stats

ST. JOSESPH, Mo. – Griffon Soccer looks to continue a program-best, four-game winning streak when they travel to Nebraska Kearney and Fort Hays this weekend. The Griffons are one win a way from tying the school record for the most wins in a season. 

Scouting the Griffons  - Missouri Western Soccer is currently 7-4-1 and 4-3-1 in the MIAA.  The Griffons went 2-0 this past weekend at home beating both Washburn University and Emporia State with a score of 1-0.

On Friday night, it was the 18th career win for Chad Edwards, making him the winningest coach in program history. The first half didn't produce much on the offensive side for either team. Missouri Western created four shots on goal as a team. Tara Russell had three of those on frame and Layne Shepherd accounted for the other shot on goal. Washburn was able to challenge Sarah Lyle twice in the half. In the second half the Griffons were able to control most of the tempo. In the 72^nd minute, Tara Russell took a corner kick and found the head of  Bridget Blessie for her second goal of the season to give the Griffons a 1-0 lead. It was Russell's second assist on the year. Sarah Lyle finished the game with a total of four saves and recorded another shutout. She now has six total shut outs on the season including three straight.

Griffon Soccer made it four straight wins on Sunday afternoon against Emporia State with a 1-0 victory. The current win streak is the longest in school history. In the first half Missouri Western created three shots on goal but couldn't find the back of the net. The Griffons defense held strong again allowing the Hornets only one shot. The Griffons were able to strike early in the second half and create multiple opportunities. Missouri Western scored in the 48^th minute when Tara Russell found the back of the net from 10 yards out. The assist came from Sydney Cluck. Sarah Lyle recorded two saves on the night and now has seven shut outs this season. It's her seventh shutout of the season, the most for any Griffon goalkeeper in a single season. MWSU accumulated 18 shots with seven of those on goal and only allowed three total shots for Emporia State.

Missouri Western sits fourth in the conference with 15 shots per game. Tara Russell is the leader on the team with 40 total shots, which averages to 3.33 per game, followed by K.C. Ramsell who has 21 shots this season. The Griffon defense has accumulated seven shutouts this season - the most in school history and good for a second place tie in the MIAA.  MWSU is allowing an average of 0.58 goals per game. Sarah Lyle has 61 saves through the 12 games this season and averages 5.08 saves per game.

Taylor Gant has played outstanding on defense and earned herself MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week this past week. Gant was part of a stellar defensive effort last week that helped the Griffons to a program-best, four game winning streak. Missouri Western has not allowed a goal since Sept. 28 and has allowed just three goals in their last seven games. Gant has played a pivotal role in shutting out the last four opponents and helping her team set a MWSU record, seven shutouts in a season.

Scouting the Lopers – Nebraska-Kearney is 2-9-1 on the season and have a conference record of 2-6. This past week the Lopers went 1-2. On Friday night, Central Oklahoma was able to sneak one past the Loper goalkeeper for a 1-0 win. The Lopers then hosted Northeastern State on Sunday and claimed victory winning 2-1. Nebraska-Kearney traveled to Hastings College on Wednesday night but struggled defensively giving up five goals, losing 5-1.

UNK has had seven different players score on the year. Montanna Hostermann is the leader with two goals and an assist along with 32 shots. The Lopers have started two different goalies this season. Regan Zach has started seven games this season accumulating 18 saves and posting a 1-5-1 record. Also, Katelin Mielke has started four games and saved 22 shots on goal and posts a record of 1-4.

Scouting the Tigers – The Tigers are currently 6-4-2 and post a conference record of 4-2-2. Last week, Fort Hays hosted Northeastern State and Central Oklahoma ending up with a record of 1-0-1. On Friday, night Fort Hays found a goal in the 75^th minute to claim victory over Northeastern. Against Central Oklahoma, both teams were held scoreless ending the game 0-0.

The Hornets have a balanced attack offensively with five players scoring at least two goals on the season. Kelsey Steffens and Jordan Hester each have four goals this season. The assist leader for the Hornets is Hailey Davey with five through the 12 games. The goalkeeper for the FHSU is Kristen Thompson who has started all 12 games and recorded seven shutouts. She has totaled 58 saves this season and has allowed 0.70 goals per game.
 

Current MIAA Standings

SCHOOL	CONF	CPTS	CPCT.	OVERALL	PCT.	STREAK
Central Missouri	8-0	24	1.000	11-0-1	0.958	W9
Southwest Baptist	6-2	18	0.750	9-3	0.750	L1
Central Oklahoma	5-1-2	17	0.750	8-2-2	0.750	T1
Fort Hays State	4-2-2	14	0.625	6-4-2	0.583	T1
Missouri Western	4-3-1	13	0.563	7-4-1	0.625	W4
Lindenwood	3-3-2	11	0.500	4-5-3	0.458	T1
Emporia State	2-2-4	10	0.500	5-3-4	0.583	L1
Northwest Missouri	3-4-1	10	0.438	6-5-1	0.542	W1
Northeastern State	3-5	9	0.375	6-6	0.500	L2
Nebraska Kearney	2-6	6	0.250	2-8-1	0.227	W1
Missouri Southern	1-6-1	4	0.188	3-7-2	0.333	T1
Washburn	0-7-1	1	0.063	0-11-1	0.042	L7

Looking Ahead
The Griffons will play University of Central Missouri on Friday Oct. 24 at 4 p.m. and Lindenwood University on Sunday at noon. It will be homecoming weekend on the campus of Missouri Western as well.