ST. JOSEPH, Mo – Conference soccer returns to Spratt Stadium for the first time in 2022, as the Griffons prepare to welcome the Lopers from Nebraska-Kearney and the Tigers of Fort Hays State this weekend at Craig Field.
The Griffons (3-3-2, 1-0 MIAA) return to St. Joseph for two much-needed home games after an intense weekend. The Griffons started off by taking No. 6 Central Missouri to the wire. The Griffons went back and forth with the Jennies and even took the lead twice before an 87th minute goal from UCM settled the game, 3-2.
The Griffons bounced back with a 1-0 win over Missouri Southern on Sunday afternoon.
Kaili Campbell won the game for the Griffons in the 78th minute.
9/23 - SCOUTING NEBRASKA-KEARNEY
The Lopers (0-7-1, 0-1 MIAA) come to Spratt Stadium riding a five-game losing streak. The Griffons haven't lost to the Lopers since 2013's 2-0 final at the Spratt. Last year's game was decided in the 56th minute by an
Eszter Toth goal.
While the Griffons have dominated the all-time series at 6-2-1, no game has been decided by more than two goals. The Griffons 59.1%-win rate vs. Nebraska-Kearney is the best winning percentage the Griffons have against any MIAA opponent. Missouri Western has not lost to UNK in the last seven matchups, including three overtime matchups where the Griffons are 2-0-1 in.
Friday's kickoff is set at 7 p.m.
9/25 - SCOUTING FORT HAYS STATE
The Tigers of Fort Hays come to St. Joseph on a roll, sitting at 5-0-3 overall and 0-0-1 in the MIAA. The Griffons trail the all-time series 2-9-3, but they did take the last game in the series 1-0 on Oct. 8, 2021.
Hays has outscored its opponents 10-4 on the year. Its high-powered offense comes up against one of the best defenses in Missouri Western history in a 1 p.m. kickoff on Sunday.
WEEKEND NOTES
- The 2022 Griffons are now tied for second all time in program shutouts with five.
- Senior Kaili Campbell and sophomore Elisabeth Pujado lead the Griffons with three goals.
- Junior Sofia Zwick leads the Griffons with two assists.
- Sophomore keeper Keeley Kroonenberg leads the all-time Griffon save percentage at 85.4%
- For the first time this year, the Griffons have drawn level with opponents in goals per game at .88.
THIS WEEK IN GRIFFON SOCCER:
In 2005, Griffon Soccer won for the first time in program history on September 28th. After starting the season 0-9-0, the Griffons welcomed Washburn Soccer to Spratt Stadium for the first time. The Ichibods took the lead in the 18th minute, but two second half goals, one from Michelle Polk and one form Nikki Heiser, gave the Griffons the first win in program history. The Griffons would go on to win two more games that year, all of them at home in front of the Griffon faithful.
