ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - A three-goal second half led the unbeaten Griffon soccer team (4-0-1) to its third consecutive victory on Tuesday night over the Rockhurst Hawks (2-3-0, 0-1-0) at Spratt Stadium.
 
"We told them at halftime that we thought we were playing well; it was just one little mistake that we must be mindful of and correct," commented head coach Jacob Plocher following the win. "We just told them that we don't have to change much going into the second half; we just have to take advantage of some opportunities," Plocher added. "To score three unanswered, that's awesome. We are happy to get that win because Rockhurst is a really good team."
 
The Griffons had offensive production in the first half, firing off 13 shots (seven on goal) and controlling over half of the possession time. However, the Hawks were able to strike first with a goal from Elle Kimball (assist Julia Witt) in the 17th minute to take a 1-0 advantage to the half.
 
Plocher's Griffon's rewrote the narrative with a lights out showing in the second half, starting with a goal in the 51st minute from junior Annie McDevitt—her first goal off the season. Rachyl Benavides notched her first assist in a Griffon uniform with an assisted cross in her second start of the season.
 
Junior forward Camrin Peaslee secured the game-winning goal in the 68th minute with a header following a well-placed pass from freshman Ava Jellen. Jellen added her second career assist just under five minutes later, as Aidyn Woodall curled in an insurance goal to help put the match out of reach.
 
Senior goalkeeper Keeley Kroonenberg (3-0-1) earned her 10th career win in goal for the Griffons. The native of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, made numerous heads-up plays, including a pair of saves in the victory.
 
Lauren Nylund, who has been named MIAA Defender of the Week for the second straight week, played a key role in anchoring the defense with a solid complete-game performance. Woodall, Katelynn Rowland, Nicoletta Froehlich and Brookelyn Buttolph also provided 90-minute outings for MWSU.
 
Western will host Missouri S&T in the non-conference finale at Spratt Stadium this Thursday. The game is set to kick off at 5:00 p.m. For more information on the Missouri Western soccer schedule, visit https://gogriffons.com/sports/womens-soccer/schedule.