GRIFFON SOCCER THIS WEEK
Friday, Oct. 5, 7:00 p.m. at Fort Hays (3-5-2, 1-2 MIAA)
Sunday, Oct. 7, 1:00 p.m. at Nebraska Kearney (4-6, 2-1 MIAA)
 

ST. JOSEPH – After a 2-0 weekend that saw the Griffons erase second half deficits, the Griffons will hit the road for a pair of weekend games. Missouri Western (7-3, 2-1 MIAA) has been playing well as of late and has won seven of its last eight games.

 
FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

• The Griffons seem to play their best soccer after halftime as they are outscoring their opponents 14-8 in the second half and overtime.
• Missouri Western currently sits fifth in the MIAA standings but there should be some shifting after this weekend. Missouri Western is one of six teams with two wins.
• Taylor Schwartzkopf could get more involved offensively after scoring her first goal of the season on Sunday. Schwartzkopf  was third on the team with six goals last season.
• Last year's game against Fort Hays was an offensive struggle for both teams as the Tigers won 1-0 in double-overtime.
• Nebraska Kearney will be looking for their first win against Missouri Western since 2015.

 
MISSOURI WESTERN LAST WEEK

• On Friday, the Griffons came back to defeat Emporia State in overtime after Claire Meyers tied the game with just 14 seconds remaining in the game. Cassidy Menke drilled the game-winning penalty kick in overtime.
• Missouri Western erased another second half deficit on Friday. They scored three unanswered goals in the second half to complete the 3-2 comeback against Washburn.

 
FORT HAYS LAST WEEK

• The Tigers lost to No. 20 Central Oklahoma 3-0 on Friday.
• On Sunday, the Tiger defeated Northeastern State 1-0.

 
NERBASKA KEARNEY LAST WEEK

• The Lopers won 2-1 in double-overtime against Northeastern State in the Friday game.
• Nebraska Kearney had its shot against No. 20 Central Oklahoma on Sunday and was shut out 5-0.

 
MISSOURI WESTERN NOTES

• Cassidy Menke leads the Griffons with six goals.
• Missouri Western is fifth in the MIAA with 1.9 goals per game.
• Coach Chad Edwards continues to rely on his depth on the bench as he played 20 players in the team's win on Sunday.

 
FORT HAYS NOTES

• Chloe Montano and Vianei Sanchez both lead the Tigers with three goals.
• Fort Hays shares the ball well and averages 1.3 assists per game, which is third in the MIAA.
• The Tigers hold a 3-5-2 record and are in danger of having their first losing season since 2013.

 
NEBRASKA KEARNEY NOTES

• Ciera Clark leads the Lopers with three goals.
• The Lopers have started three different goalkeepers this season.

 
MISSOURI WESTERN COACH CHAD EDWARDS

• Serving in his eighth season as head coach for the Griffons
• All-time soccer coaching wins leader at Missouri Western
• Guided Missouri Western to the most successful season in school history in 2017

 
FORT HAYS COACH BLAKE REYNOLDS

• Serving in his second season as head coach at Fort Hays.
• Has a total of eight years coaching experience at the NAIA level
• Won three regular season championships at Kansas Wesleyan

 
NEBRASKA KEARNEY COACH CHLOE ROBERTS

• Coaching in her first season at Nebraska Kearney
• Began her career at Nebraska Kearney by serving two seasons as graduate assistant, then spent one season as assistant coach, and was named head coach in April 2017.
• Four-time NCAA Division II All-American at North Alabama from 2009-13.