WICHITA, Kan. - A three-goal second half helped MWSU soccer (8-0-1, 3-0-0 MIAA) secure a shutout victory at Newman (0-8-1, 0-3-0 MIAA) and claim its longest winning streak in program history.
 
On the key to victory, head coach Jacob Plocher stated, "We just stayed composed and finished our chances." He added, "I thought we did a good job throughout the game creating chances, and I think we just did a better job finishing our opportunities in the second half when it counted the most."
 
Despite being unable to convert their chances, the Griffons dominated the opening 45 minutes with over 62% of possession. They outshot the Jets 13-2, with Kendall Knisley leading the pack with six shots, one of which was on target. Knisley finished the match with a match-leading eight shots, and added her eighth point of the season with an assist in the second half.
 
Senior defender Katelynn Rowland scored her first goal of the season in the 56th minute, breaking the scoreless stalemate with the game-winner. She curled the ball into the left corner of the goal from long range off an assisted pass by Elisabeth Pujado, who notched her first assist of the 2024 campaign.
 
Later in the second half, Aidyn Woodall and Camrin Peaslee added insurance for Western, as the forward duo each collected their third goal of the season. MWSU continued to add pressure until the final whistle, with freshman Riley Espinoza firing off the final shot of the match in the 90th minute.
 
Senior Keeley Kroonenberg (6-0-1) made her seventh start in goal for the Griffons and finished the match with one save. She combined the shutout with fellow senior Sophie Wellinghoff, who also recorded one save.
 
The defending MIAA Defender of the Week, Lauren Nylund, was the only Griffon to play the entire 90 minutes. Brookelyn Buttolph had the second-highest playing time on the team with 77 minutes, while Annie McDevitt, Rowland and Woodall tallied 72 minutes.

Missouri Western will return to action on Sunday against the Central Oklahoma Bronchos at 1:00 p.m. from Tom Thompson Field in Edmond, Oklahoma.