ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Griffon Soccer battled Rogers State to a 0-0 draw on Senior Night Friday at Spratt Stadium, moving to 7-3-6 overall and 4-3-3 in MIAA play.
With the draw, MoWest earned a valuable point in the MIAA standings and sits tied for fifth place with Emporia State following the conclusion of Friday's conference matches. Both teams hold a 4-3-3 conference record with just two regular season matches remaining.
The top eight teams in the MIAA standings qualify for the MIAA Women's Soccer Championship, with the top four seeds hosting quarterfinal matches. The Griffons remain in contention for a top-four seed heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
MoWest controlled the offensive opportunities throughout the match, outshooting the Hillcats 15-5, including a 7-3 advantage in shots on goal.
The Griffons recorded six shots in the opening half, with Phoebe Brizic and Jaida Douch each putting attempts on target. Despite the offensive pressure, the two teams entered halftime scoreless.
MWSU continued to push offensively in the second half, recording nine shots and five shots on goal. Sydney Puetz, Kiara Carr, Kendall Knisley, Alexandra Milano and Sarah Wilson each forced saves from the Rogers State goalkeeper.
MoWest nearly broke through in the closing minutes, with Milano and Wilson recording shots on goal in the final four minutes, but the Hillcats held the Griffons off the scoreboard.
Knisley, Rosemary Pujado, Brizic and Milano each finished with two shots to lead the Griffon offense.
Defensively, Morgan Byrd recorded three saves across 90 minutes to earn her sixth shutout of the season and 13th of her career.
The Griffons also celebrated five seniors before the match: Ava Smith, Sydney Puetz, Kaari Little, Kendall Knisley and Chaleigh Depner.
What's Next
Griffon Soccer returns to Spratt Stadium on Sunday to host Emporia State in its final home match of the regular season. The matchup will feature two teams tied for fifth in the MIAA standings as both look to improve their positioning for the conference tournament.
