ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — No. 4 MoWest Soccer advanced to the MIAA Semifinals after defeating No. 5 Northwest Missouri State in a 4–3 penalty kick shootout, following a 1–1 draw in the 2025 MIAA Tournament Quarterfinals at Spratt Stadium.
With the draw, the Griffons extended their home record to 16-0-5 since the start of last season, defending Spratt Stadium in a 21-match unbeaten streak.
Northwest struck first in the 11th minute when Margaret Madden scored on a header to give the Bearcats a 1–0 advantage. From there, the Griffons controlled much of the first half, outshooting NWMSU 5–3 and earning three corner kicks, but couldn't find the equalizer before the break.
In the second half, MoWest continued to press and broke through in the 84th minute, as
Aidyn Woodall scored off a pass from
Kendall Knisley to tie the game at 1–1. Knisley's assist marked her 13th career assist, tying her with Madeline Cowell (2015–18) for the most in Griffon Soccer history. The Griffons dominated the half with 10 shots and nine corner kicks while limiting Northwest Missouri State to just one shot and one corner.
In the first overtime, the Griffons controlled the tempo, firing six shots and earning three corner kicks, while the Bearcats were held without an attempt. The second overtime mirrored the same story, as MoWest added three more shots and continued to dominate possession. Despite outshooting Northwest 9–0 and holding a 3–0 edge in corners during both extra periods, the Griffons couldn't convert, sending the match to be decided in a penalty shootout.
The shootout opened with Northwest's Emma Cook converting her attempt, while MoWest's
Alyssa French was denied by Bearcat keeper Lily Ellis, giving Northwest the early edge.
In the second round, Ximena Arnau made it 2–0 for the Bearcats, but
Rosemary Pujado answered for the Griffons to cut the deficit.
Northwest's Brooke Bellehumeur missed in the third round, allowing
Aidyn Woodall to find the net and even the score at 2–2.
In the fourth round, Moira Franck's attempt was stopped by the Griffon goalkeeper
Katie Stoskopf, and
Kendall Knisley followed with a make to give MoWest its first lead at 3–2.
Northwest's Julia Coacher converted to tie it again, but
Sydney Hammett sealed the win for the Griffons, delivering the decisive strike as MoWest prevailed in the shootout, 4–3.
MoWest stands as the highest-seeded team remaining in the 2025 MIAA Women's Soccer Championship after a first round filled with upsets across the bracket.
What's Next
No. 4 Griffon Soccer faces No. 8 seed Northeastern State in the MIAA Tournament Semifinals on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 3 p.m. in Wichita, Kansas, at the Stryker Sports Complex.
