ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Two difficult road tests await Griffon Soccer this weekend, as the team faces undefeated No. 6 Central Missouri on Friday and Missouri Southern on Sunday.
HISTORY BECKONS
Missouri Western's four-game undefeated run has seen the Griffons tie twice and win twice, bringing their record up to 2-2-2. The last time someone put a goal past the Griffons, they were in Texas playing St. Mary's University. Since that game, the Griffons haven't allowed a goal in four games, the second longest streak in program history. In 2014 and 2017, the Griffons kept five consecutive shutouts.
Sophomore
Keeley Kroonenberg also owns the second longest individual shutout streak for a goalkeeper, with only Sarah Lyles playing more consecutive minutes without conceding a goal.
9-16 @ CENTRAL MISSOURI
The red hot Griffons will face their most difficult weekend of the year statistically. The Griffons have never won in Warrensburg, Missouri, and are 1-9 against the Jennies (5-0-1). in their last ten.
Last year's national quarterfinalists are in fine form once again, winning every game aside from a 2-2 draw with then No. 1 Grand Valley State in Allendale, Michigan.
The Griffons and Jennies kick off on Friday at 7 p.m
9-18 @ MISSOURI SOUTHERN
The Griffons round off the weekend with a familiar foe, as they play the Lions of Missouri Southern (0-5-0) for the second time in a week. This game will officially start conference play for both teams. The Griffons took down the Lions on Sunday, Sept. 11 at Spratt Stadium, 2-0. Southern transfer
Elisabeth Pujado scored both goals for the Griffons.
The series against MSSU is much closer, with the Griffons being 10-12-3 overall, but 8-1-1 in the last ten against the Lions. Home field has been significant in the series vs. the Lions as well, with the home team being 15-7-3 all time. Kickoff in Joplin, Missouri, is set for 2 p.m.
WEEKEND NOTES
- The Griffons are looking to keep the offensive spark alive this weekend, netting twice for the first time all season in their last game at home against Missouri Southern.
- Sophomore Elisabeth Pujado leads the Griffons with two goals on the season.
- Sophomore Keeley Kroonenberg is up to 33 saves on the season. Should her performance keep up, it would be good enough for best save percentage in program history for a season at 89.2% .
- Senior Kaili Campbell has 12 shots on goal and one goal for the season.
- Junior Sofia Zwick leads the Griffons with one assist.
THIS WEEK IN GRIFFON SOCCER
In 2017, the Griffons gave Northwest Missouri State and Lindenwood a not-so-warm welcome to Spratt Stadium. The Griffons beat the Bearcats 4-0, helped by two goals on either side of halftime. They followed up the 4-0 rolling by scoring five past Lindenwood, as the No. 24-ranked Griffons finished the weekend with their second highest weekend aggregate score in program history at 9-0, only topped by the opening weekend of the same season.
