ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Griffon Soccer sits at an even 2-2-2 (0-0, MIAA) just six games into their season, kicking off MIAA play later this weekend.
This past weekend, the team nabbed a 1-1 draw and 3-1 victory against conference opponents Northwest Missouri State and Missouri Southern in non-conference matchups. Next up, the team returns home and has one last non-conference game against No. 12 Central Missouri before they begin MIAA play with a familiar team in Missouri Southern.
TICKETS + WHERE TO WATCH
Fans can watch all Griffon Soccer home games for a subscription fee on the MIAA Network. Director of Athletic Communications Derek Zimmerman-Guyer will call the action, with pregame starting 20 minutes before each kickoff. Game admission and parking tickets are available in the "Tickets" tab.
9/22 - NO. 12 CENTRAL MISSOURI | 7 PM
The Griffons look to break an eight-game losing streak against the Jennies of Central Missouri (4-2, 0-0 MIAA). Coming off a 2-0 win vs. the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats (2-2-2, 0-0 MIAA), the Jennies look to improve their record against the Griffons after winning three games in a row.
Who to Watch
The reigning MIAA Offensive Player of the Week, freshman forward Mikayla Ernst leads the team and the MIAA with five goals and 10 points overall. She scored a goal in each 2-0 victory last week vs. Missouri Southern and Northwest. She's paralleled by frosh goalkeeper Kristen Wright, who just won MIAA Goalkeeper of the Week. Wright tallied five saves and pitched back-to-back shutouts vs. Southern and Northwest. She is 3-1 as a goalie.
Head Coach
Central Missouri is coached by 16th-year man Lewis Theobald, who is 279-43-23 overall and 159-16-10 in the MIAA. He is 28-1 vs. MWSU and 11-1 at Spratt Stadium
Rivalry Record Rabbit Hole
The Griffons are 1-32 all-time vs. UCM. Their only win was the biggest in Griffon Soccer history: a 1-0 upset over the No.1-ranked Jennies on Sept. 21, 2018, in St. Joe.
Last Time Out
The last time these two teams faced was on Oct. 30, 2022, when the Griffons lost 2-0 in the first round of the MIAA Tournament in Warrensburg, Missouri. In that game, the Jennies got their goals from then-sophomore now-junior defender Molly Ricker and redshirt freshman forward Madylin Hamline.
Gold Coat Appreciation Night
Friday's game will be a Gold Coat Appreciation Night. There will be a Gold Coat Barbecue at 6:30 p.m. at the Bill Snyder Pavilion. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Spratt Stadium.
9/24 - MISSOURI SOUTHERN | 1 PM
The Lions of Missouri Southern (0-5-1, 0-0 MIAA) return to St. Joseph to face an opponent they faced just a week prior. Before Southern takes on MWSU again this Sunday, the Lions will face Northwest on Friday at 3 p.m. in Maryville, Missouri, at Bearcat Pitch.
Who to Watch
Senior midfielder Jori Hays leads the team with four points, recording one goal and a team-high two assists. Three other Lions have one goal apiece, giving MSSU just four this season. Southern has sent out two goalkeepers this season with three complete games under their belts. Junior Angel Chase has nine saves in 270 minutes, compiling a record of 0-2-1. Senior Lily Doneghue is 0-3, racking up 10 saves in 270 minutes.
Head Coach
Sadé Boswell is in her second season as head coach for MSSU, going 2-14-1 last season. Overall, she is 2-19-2 and 2-8-1 in the MIAA. She lost twice to MWSU last season.
Rivalry Record Rabbit Hole
Headed into the 28th matchup, the Griffs and Lions are knotted up at 12-12-3 all-time, with MWSU winning the last four matchups. The Griffons have not lost to the Lions in St. Joe since Sept. 27, 2008, in a 1-0 result. Missouri Western is 7-4-1 vs. Southern at Spratt Stadium.
Last Time Out
Exactly one week since these two teams faced, the Lions look to get their first win of the season. In the last game, the Griffons led at half 2-0. The Lions cut the score to one by scoring in the 63rd minute by freshman forward Cathy Ray. However, the Griffons sealed their victory with a goal in the 76th minute by sophomore forward Corinne Stewart.
The match on Sunday will be the first conference game for both teams. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday at Spratt Stadium.
NOTABLES
- Freshman forward/midfielder Kendall Knisley had two goals on the weekend, putting her at three goals for the year.
- Knisley has scored a point in four straight matches.
- Knisley and senior forward Jaden Skinner have seven points this season, the sixth most in the MIAA.
- Junior goalkeeper Keeley Kroonenberg had six saves against Northwest Missouri State with an 85.7 save percentage.
- Kroonenberg now has 102 career saves, making her the seventh Griff to climb over the century mark.
ON THIS DAY IN GRIFFON SOCCER HISTORY
Sept. 22 | Box Score
In 2019, MWSU held Northwest scoreless in a 2-0 decision. The Griffs were led by goals from Taylor Schwartzkopf (12th minute) and Kaili Campbell (44th). Keeper Anna Mayer recorded six saves, facing 17 shots overall.
Sept. 24 | Box Score
Back in the fall of 2021, the Griffons fell to 3-2-2 on the season after they lost 3-2 to the No. 19 ranked Central Missouri Jennies. In that game, Anna Mayer had eight saves with a 72 save percentage. The Griffons trailed at halftime 2-0 but put their first points on the board thanks to Kelsey Burkey to make the score 2-1 in the 49th minute. However, the Jennies answered back quickly with a goal in the 51st minute. Although they scored in the 67th minute by the boot of Eszter Toth, the Griffons could not put any more points on the board.
-30-
