The Northwest Missouri State soccer team shocked Missouri Western last Sunday, upsetting the Griffons, 2-1. The Bearcats seek to continue positives taken from the win into a weekend at home with Missouri Southern and No. 19 Central Missouri.
 
Friday, September 24
Northwest Missouri State vs. Missouri Southern State
Bearcat Pitch | Maryville, Missouri | 3 p.m.
Watch | Live Stats
 
Sunday, September 26
Northwest Missouri State vs. No. 19 Central Missouri
Bearcat Pitch | Maryville, Missouri | 1 p.m.
Watch | Live Stats
 
Missouri Southern is 1-3-2 on the season while the Bearcats hold a 15-10 all-time record over the Lions. Northwest has also won the last three matches against Missouri Southern.
 
Last Five Matches vs. Missouri Southern
W, 2-1 (4/22/2021)
W, 4-0 (11/3/2019)
W, 3-1 (9/27/2019)
L, 0-2 (10/12/2018)
L, 0-1 (10/1/2017)
 
The No. 19 Jennies have five wins through six games so far this season, their lone loss to No. 2 Grand Valley State on September 12. They also recorded a 3-0 victory over No. 16 Oklahoma Baptist on September 2, their first contest of the season. Northwest has triumphed over the Jennies just three times, recording three ties and 28 losses in their 34-match history that dates back to the 2004 season. The latest Bearcat win occurred in the 2021 spring season, a 5-4 victory in Warrensburg. Prior to that, Northwest picked up wins in 2008 and 2004, both contests in Maryville.
 
Last Five Matches vs. Central Missouri
L, 0-3 (9/17/2021)
L, 0-3 (4/2/2021)
W, 5-4 (3/5/2021)
L, 0-4 (9/29/2019)
L, 1-3 (9/20/2019)
 
Blackburn Heating Up
Junior forward Teagan Blackburn has been finding a rhythm in recent matches, recording at least one goal in three of Northwest's six matches so far this season. She also recorded the game winning goal against Missouri Western with just seven seconds remaining in the match.
 
Blackburn is tied for the lead in the conference in game winning goals (2) and tied for fourth in season goals (4). With 13 shots taken this season, she is posting a .615 shot-on-goal percentage that is third on the team (min. 5 shots). Blackburn leads the current roster in career goals (9) and is just one goal away from having her name appear in the Bearcat Soccer record book in two categories for goal scoring.
 
Individual Season Leaders – Goals
1. Tammie Eiberger, 2011 – 11
1. Victoria Von Mende, 2011 – 11
3. Rory Okey, 2000 – 8
3. Andera Tritz, 2008 – 8
5. Beth Gutschenritter, 2004 – 7
5. Andrea Tritz, 2009 – 7
5. Holly Ramaeker, 2008 – 7
5. Kayla Griffin, 2006 – 7
5. Beth Gutschenritter, 2003 – 7
5. Victoria Von Mende – 2012 – 7
 
Individual Career Leaders – Goals
1. Victoria Von Mende (2011-12) – 18
2. Beth Gutschenritter (2003-06) – 17
3. Andrea Tritz (2008-09) – 15
4. Kayla Griffin (2005-06) – 13
4. Rory Okey (2000-03) – 13
4. Anna Holden (2014-15) – 13
7. Tammie Eiberger (2011) – 11
7. Anna Calgaard (2010-13) – 11
9. Kelsey Sanders (2007-10) – 10
9. Jill Anderson (2000-03) – 10
9. Amanda Bundrant (2009-12) – 10
9. Janel Wegehaupt (1999-00) – 10
 
Holding Down the Backfield
Redshirt-freshman Sydney Mueller and junior Letycia Bonifacio lead the Bearcats in minutes as defenders. As key pieces to much of the success in the backfield, Mueller has a team-high 528 minutes registered through six starts in six games while Bonifacio follows right behind with 524 minutes. Senior midfielder Madi McKeever and redshirt-freshman defender Ashton Dain also play high minutes; McKeever has recorded 435 minutes on the season while Dain rounds out the 400+ minute group with 404 minutes.
 
Battling the Best
After Sunday's match against No. 19 Central Missouri, Northwest Missouri State will have played four ranked opponents so far this season, with at least one more possibility of facing a top-5 team in MIAA-foe Emporia State. The Hornets are ranked No. 5 in this week's USCAA National coaches' poll.