The Northwest Missouri State soccer team will open the 2021 regular season over the weekend when they travel to Sioux Falls to take on the Cougars on Friday. On Sunday, the Bearcats will host their home opener against Wayne State.
 
Live stats and a live stream will be available for both matches.
 
Friday, September 3
Northwest Missouri State at Sioux Falls, 6 p.m.
Watch | Live Stats
 
Sunday, September 5
Northwest Missouri State vs. Wayne State, 1 p.m.
Watch | Live Stats
 
The Bearcats will meet Sioux Falls for the fifth time in program history. Northwest is currently 4-0 in the matchup with their last victory over the Cougars coming on September 13, 2019, in Maryville by a score of 4-0. The Bearcats scored a 2-1 contest in Sioux Falls on September 3, 2017, for their last road win over the Cougars.
 
Northwest has met Wayne State four times prior to Sunday's match. The Bearcats have recorded three wins so far over the Wildcats. A tie resulted in the last match between the two teams after two overtime periods. In 2013 in a match played in Maryville, Northwest was victorious by a score of 8-1.
 
The captains for this year's squad are senior midfielder Madi McKeever and junior defender Letycia Bonifacio.
 
The Bearcats were ranked seventh in the 2021 MIAA preseason poll that was released in mid-August. This is the highest preseason ranking for Northwest since the Bearcats were picked fifth for the 2013 season.
 
The MIAA's top preseason team, Central Oklahoma, was also picked 10^th in the United Soccer Coaches' preseason poll while Missouri Western was tabbed 23^rd.
 
2021 MIAA Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Central Oklahoma (8) – 116 points
2. Emporia State (3) – 110 points
3. Central Missouri (1) – 104 points
4. Northeastern State – 88 points
5. Fort Hays State – 80 points
6. Missouri Western – 72 points
7. Northwest Missouri – 59 points
8. Rogers State – 49 points
9. Washburn – 39 points
10. Missouri Southern – 32 points
11. Newman – 31 points
12. Nebraska Kearney – 12 points
Coaches Are Not Allowed to Vote for Their Own Team