GRIFFON SOCCER WEEKEND PREVIEW
Friday, Oct. 6, 6 p.m.
#20 Missouri Western (9-1) vs
Nebraska Kearney (3-5-2)
Live Stats |
Live Video
Sunday, Oct. 8, 12 p.m.
#20 Missouri Western vs
Fort Hays State (5-3-2)
Live Stats |
Live Video
MIAA STANDINGS |
UNITED SOCCER COACHES RANKINGS
ST. JOSEPH - No. 20-ranked Griffon soccer hosts two of its final three regular season home games this weekend as the 9-1 Griffons host Nebraska Kearney and Fort Hays State.
The final two-game home weekend of the season for Missouri Western begins Friday on Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium. The team will welcome back MWSU soccer alumni and also host members of the St. Joseph Youth Soccer Association. The Griffons enter the weekend in a three-way tie atop the MIAA standings with No. 2 Central Missouri and Northeastern State. After Sunday's game with Fort Hays State, the Griffons are scheduled to spend the next three weeks on the road, not returning home until the regular season finale Oct. 29 against Central Missouri.
THE GRIFFONS
With eight games remaining in the 2017 regular season, the Griffons are two wins from setting a new program record for wins in a season. The team has already broken the program record for goals in a season and enters the weekend second in the MIAA with 35 goals scored. While the offense has already reached unprecedented heights, Missouri Western has maintained its traditional defensive prowess, allowing just seven goals this season, tied for third fewest in the MIAA. Last Sunday's shutout of Southwest Baptist was the sixth for the team this season.
Sydney Cluck was named MIAA Co-Offensive Athlete of the Week after totaling five points last weekend. The senior leads the MIAA with seven assists this season.
Cassidy Menke broke her own MWSU single season record with her 10th goal of the season last week. Menke leads the MIAA in goals, points and shots.
NEBRASKA KEARNEY
The Lopers enter with a 3-5-2 record overall and an 0-3 mark in MIAA play. UNK has totaled six goals this season, tied for fewest in the MIAA. The Lopers have been stingy on the other end, allowing 14 goals this season. UNK has shutout three opponents this season with Ali Hirschman receiving credit for all three. The keeper is holding opponents to 1.4 goals per game and saving more than 75 percent of shots against her. Megan Cook leads the team with two goals and four points.
FORT HAYS STATE
Traditionally one of the top programs in the MIAA, Fort Hays State enters the weekend 5-3-2 overall and 2-1 in MIAA play. The Tigers' 15 goals scored are fifth best in the MIAA while their seven goals allowed are tied with Missouri Western for third fewest in the conference. Fort Hays has shut out five opponents this season and has been held scoreless five times. Kristen Thompson has 3.1 of the shutouts while Megan Kneefel has been credited with 1.1. Thompson is 4-1 with a 0.63 goals against average. Eden Stoddard leads the team with seven goals scored and 17 points.
UP NEXT
The Griffons begin a challenging, five-game road stretch that begins next week with trips to Central Oklahoma and Northeastern State. UCO is 5-4-1 and 2-0-1 entering this weekend while Northeastern State is 9-0 on the season and one of the teams tied with the Griffons for first place in the MIAA. Missouri Western plays at Central Oklahoma on Friday, Oct. 13 and Northeastern State on Sunday, Oct. 15.
