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By David Boyce  |  Bearcats at Emporia State  |  Friday, Oct. 9  •  7 p.m.  |  Emporia, Kan.  |  Live Statistics
Bearcats at Washburn  |  Sunday, Oct. 11  •  1 p.m.  |  Topeka, Kan.  |  Live Statistics

MARYVILLE, Mo. - Each time Katy Lindsey steps on the soccer field for Northwest Missouri State, she brings passion to the game.
 
"She is a spark," said Northwest coach Tracy Hoza said.
 
Whether Lindsey is talking about the goal she scored to help the Bearcats snap a five-game losing streak or career plans once she graduates from Northwest in May, you realize those words from Hoza are so true.
 
Lindsey, a graduate of Park Hill South in Kansas City, is majoring in elementary education with a concentration in language arts.
 
"I am going to get certified in deaf education," Lindsey said. "I want to be in the classroom. I love the language. It is something I grew to love last year and I want to continue it one way or another."
 
Hoza pointed out that Lindsey will finish her classroom work in 3 ½ years and will then be ready to student teach.
 
It was natural for Lindsey to enter the education field. Her mom teaches.
 
"Ever since I was little, I had a love for kids and even helping my brother learn things and seeing that aha moment is rewarding," Lindsey said.
 
Although Lindsey has been playing soccer since she was 5 years old, she still has insightful moments on the field.
 
"You always learn something in soccer," she said. "No matter how much you play, you learn something. I have played since kindergarten, but I continue to learn. I can say that for everyone else on the team."
 
At the start of this week, the ability to grow as a team took root with a 2-1 victory over Missouri Southern Sunday afternoon at the Bearcat Pitch. With the game tied 1-1, Northwest took the lead in the 55^th minute on a goal off a free kick from Lindsey.
 
Teamwork led to the game-winning goal. Junior Cassie Phillips was fouled, setting up the free kick.
 
"Cassie turned to me and said, 'just shoot it.' I said all right, I will do it," Lindsey said.
 
Immediately afterwards, Phillips turned to Lindsey to acknowledge it was the right move to make.
 
"I got the opportunity because one of my teammates took a foul," Lindsey said. "It was a whole team effort."
 
The Bearcats want to take the same type of effort into their game Friday at Emporia State. The game starts at 7 p.m.
 
"We have to continue what we were doing on Sunday," said senior defender Crystal McElhose. "There have been times when we forgot to play simple soccer. It is a beautiful game when we do that and not get too excited. We have to be confident in each other. If we continue to do that, we will be fine throughout the season."
 
Hoza liked the way defenders, midfielders and forwards played in unison against Missouri Southern and that allowed Northwest to overcome a 1-0 halftime deficit and score two second-half goals.
 
The first goal for Northwest came from senior forward Anna Holden in the 50^th minute.
 
"We saw the forwards getting in the box," Hoza said. "Players were creating opportunities to get free kicks. What we have really seen is the midfield tightening up on the defensive end and on the attack. It is great to see that because they can really control the game."
 
Northwest is 1-3 in the MIAA, but this weekend gives it the perfect opportunity to move up in the standings. Emporia State is 2-2 in conference. The Bearcats play Washburn in Topeka on Sunday. The Ichabods are 1-3 in conference.
 
The Bearcats are entering these games with more confidence because of what they accomplished against Missouri Southern.
 
"It was so nice," Lindsey said. "It picks us back up. We had to stop the bleeding from the losses we took. We needed it and we are going to bounce back."