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Friday, Sept. 19: Missouri Western at Northwest Missouri State, 5 p.m. (Live Stats)
Sunday, Sept. 21: Missouri Western at Lindenwood, 1 p.m. (Live Stats)

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Griffon Soccer continues to turn heads this season with the best start in school history. Missouri Western went 3-1 in the non-conference portion of it schedule, with the only loss coming to Augustana. The nearly perfect record against four regional teams earned the Griffons a No. 9 ranking in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's Central Region poll.

Conference play begins this weekend when MWSU travels to Maryville to take on Northwest Missouri State (3-1) on Friday before heading to St. Charles to battle Lindenwood (1-2-1).

Scouting Missouri Western – This past Friday, the Griffons and Bemidji State were locked in a 0-0 tie through regulation. Freshman Bridget Blessie ended the game with her overtime shot in the 95^th minute. The shot was a free kick from the 30-yard mark that bounced once over the goalkeepers head and fell in the back of the net to give the Griffons the victory. MWSU controlled most of the tempo getting 12 shots on goal compared to the Beavers one.

The second game of the weekend brought the Augustana Vikings to Spratt Stadium. On Sunday, Missouri Western allowed the first goal of the season in the 19^th minute after Annie Thorensen looped a shot over Sarah Lyle and past a sliding Taylor Gant. Augustana also put one in the net after a free kick rebound that was eventually headed in by Payton Pry. The Griffons had some chances in the second half including a break away and one striking the post but couldn't get past the Vikings goalkeeper.

Missouri Western has been balanced this season with seven players getting three shots or more on goal through the four games. Also, the eight goals scored this season have been scored by eight different players. The Griffons have dominated the shots category accumulating 75 compared to opponents 42. Corner kicks for MWSU has also been a strong point with a 28-11 advantage against the opposition. Goalkeeper Sarah Lyle has been efficient, only allowing two goals and posting a 3-1 record.

Scouting Northwest Missouri State – The Bearcats have a 3-1 record in the early part of the season with their only loss coming to Bemidji State, 2-0, last Sunday.

Individually, Anna Holden, Jessica Spradely and Crystal McElhose each have scored twice this season. Junior Nicole Mitchell leads the team with 11 total shots giving her a 2.75 average. The Bearcat goalkeeper, Ashley Malloy, has only allowed two goals and has a save percentage of .882 through starting four games. NW Missouri similar to the Griffons have outshot their opponents 53 to 37. The Bearcats have allowed more corner kicks so far giving up 16 and only accounting for 14 themselves.

Scouting Lindenwood – Lindenwood has a record of 1-2-1, beating Missouri S&T in a 2-1 OT victory for their first win. On Tuesday, the Lions lost in OT, 2-1, to Truman State who scored in the 96^th minute.

LU has netted four goals this season, each of which came from different players. Kirsten Crabtree leads the team with five shots on goal but has not been able to translate any of those into goals. The Lions have started two different goalies this season, each of them starting two games. Lauren Groathouse has 12 saves this season and holds a record of 1-1. Groathouse has a save percentage of .800 throughout the season. The other goalkeeper, Melissa Weiss, has saved 11 shots with a record of 0-1-1. LU has been outshot this season giving the opponents 60 opportunities compared to 52.

The Lions will host Central Missouri on Friday before the Griffons make their arrival on Sunday in St. Charles.