ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Griffon Soccer opens the 2026 season this weekend with a two-match road trip through Minnesota and South Dakota.
MoWest begins the new campaign on Friday, traveling to Bemidji, Minnesota to take on Bemidji State at 7 p.m. The Griffons then head to Aberdeen, South Dakota for a Sunday matchup against Northern State at 11 a.m.
The Griffons enter 2026 following a successful 2025 season that saw MoWest finish 12-3-7 overall and 6-2-4 in MIAA play. MoWest captured the program's first ever MIAA Tournament Championship, and earned a second consecutive berth to the NCAA Central Region tournament.
MoWest was picked fourth in the 2026 MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll with 108 points after finishing among the conference's top teams a year ago.
The Griffons also enter the season carrying a 21-match unbeaten streak at Spratt Stadium. MoWest is 16-0-5 at home since 2024, but that mark will soon be put to the test.
Following this weekend's trip, MoWest will host Wayne State on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 5 p.m. at Spratt Stadium.
Roster Breakdown
Griffon Soccer returns 10 players, but welcomes 18 new ones, including 14 true freshmen. MoWest welcomes back four all-MIAA performers from the year before – led by first team honoree and senior forward/midfielder
Kendall Knisley.
The Eldridge, Iowa native enters 2026 second in Griffon Soccer history in career points (49), goals (18) and tied for the career record in assists (13).
Other key returners include honorable mention all-MIAA picks in midfielder
Alyssa French, defender
Ava Smith and goalie
Morgan Byrd. Byrd logged 10 wins and seven shutouts in goal last season.
New Staff in Place
Griffon Soccer announced the hiring of two new coaches this past offseason.
Joshua Pooler joins the Griffons after serving as an assistant coach at Western Colorado University in 2025. Prior to that, he worked as the volunteer assistant and goalkeeping coach for both the men's and women's soccer programs at Presbyterian College after coaching at Southwest Mississippi Community College and Southeastern Community College. At Southeastern, Pooler served as interim head coach before returning to the assistant and goalkeeping coach role.
Bailey Brennan joins the Griffons after serving as an assistant women's soccer coach at Nebraska Wesleyan University since July 2025. Prior to Nebraska Wesleyan, Brennan spent time at Dubuque Senior High School, where she served as both assistant and head women's soccer coach.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, Aug. 28
at Bemidji State
7 p.m. | Bemidji, Minn.
Sunday, Aug. 30
at Northern State
11 a.m. | Aberdeen, S.D.
