The Northwest Missouri State University women's soccer squad will open 2022 regular season play as it travels to Wayne, Neb., Friday to take on Wayne State. The Bearcats will return home in a match against Drury for their home opener on Sunday.

Friday, Aug. 26
Northwest Missouri State at Wayne State, 3 p.m. | LIVE VIDEO | LIVE STATS

Sunday, Aug. 28
Drury at Northwest Missouri State, 1 p.m. | LIVE VIDEO | LIVE STATS

The Bearcats will meet Wayne State for the 13th time in program history. Northwest holds a 7-3-2 lead in the all-time series. Northwest scored a 4-2 victory over Wayne State at home last season on Sept. 5.

Northwest has met Drury just once prior to the upcoming weekend matchup. On Sept. 6, 2019, the Bearcats traveled to Springfield, Mo., to take on the Panthers where the teams went into double overtime that resulted in a 2-2 tie.

The captains for this year's team are senior defender Letycia Bonifacio, junior forward Kaylie Rock, and sophomore defender Grace Wineinger.

The Bearcats were ranked fourth in the 2022 MIAA preseason poll that was released mid-August. This is the highest-ranking Northwest soccer has ever had entering a season.

The MIAA's top preseason team, Central Missouri, was also picked No. 6 in the United Soccer Coaches' preseason poll while Emporia State was tabbed at No. 14.

2022 MIAA Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Central Missouri – 121 Points [11 First Place Votes]
2. Emporia State – 105 Points [1 First Place Vote]
3. Central Oklahoma – 103 Points
4. Northwest Missouri State – 93 Points
5. Missouri Western – 75 Points
6. Northeastern State – 66 Points
7. Fort Hays State – 61 Points
8. Washburn – 60 Points
9. Rogers State – 43 Points
10. Missouri Southern – 30 Points
11. Newman – 22 Points
12. Nebraska Kearney – 13 Points