ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -The undefeated Griffon soccer team (7-0-1, 2-0) looks to maintain its early season success on the road this weekend against Newman (0-7-1, 0-2) and Central Oklahoma (4-3-1, 1-0-1 MIAA). This will be Western's first conference road trip of the season.
Action will take place on Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Wilkins Field in Wichita, Kansas, against the Jets. The finale against the Bronchos will be Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at Tom Thompson Field in Edmond, Oklahoma.
RECAPPING LAST WEEK
The Griffons made history last weekend, surpassing the 2017 club for the best start in the program's 20-year history with wins over Northwest Missouri State (3-2) and Rogers State (4-2).
Junior
Corinne Stewart earned the MIAA Offensive Athlete of the Week for the first time in her career. She notched five points with a goal and an assist against the Bearcats, followed by a game-clinching goal against Rogers State.
Lauren Nylund received the MIAA Defender of the Week award for the fourth time this season. The San Antonio, Texas native scored the game-winning penalty kick against the Hillcats and played a total of 180 minutes for MWSU.
TOP PERFORMERS
Nylund is currently tied for the conference lead with five goals. The senior has scored four penalty kicks and headed in a goal during a non-conference match against Bemidji State. So far this season, she has only been substituted once due to injury, tallying 709 out of 720 minutes.
Kendall Knisley has been a spark for the Griffons on offense, scoring seven points from three assists and a pair of goals. Stewart has also shined with five points from two goals and an assist.
Senior
Keeley Kroonenberg (5-0-1) carries a 0.86 goals-against average and 0.773 save percentage into the weekend. The Highlands Ranch, Colorado native tallied a shutout victory against Bemidji State.
Katelynn Rowland and
Brookelyn Buttolph have tallied 720 minutes, as they have not exited the pitch once.
ABOUT THE JETS
Newman has been struggling to find a rhythm this season. They are win less at 0-7-1 and finished the 2023 season at 2-15-1. Marta Aranda, Lexi Bauer and Allison Hernandez are the only players for the Jets who have scored this season. Junior Carla Apodaca (0-5-1) has started all seven games as the goalkeeper and has a 2.57 goals-against average.
ABOUT BRONCHOS
Central Oklahoma has a 4-3-1 record this season, with victories against Southwestern Oklahoma State, Angelo State, Southern Nazarene and Emporia State. UCO tallied six wins last season and fell MIAA Tournament quarterfinal match to Central Missouri. Senior Rebekah George leads the team with five points with four goals and an assist. Goalkeeper Avery Bass (2-2-1) has a 1.91 goals-against average and recorded a shutout against Washburn.
