Friday, Oct. 25 | 3 p.m.
Northwest Missouri State vs Missouri Southern
Maryville, Mo. | Bearcat Pitch
WATCH | LIVE STATS
 
Sunday, Oct. 27 | 1 p.m.
Northwest Missouri State vs Pittsburg State
Maryville, Mo. | Bearcat Pitch
WATCH | LIVE STATS
 
The Northwest Missouri State women's soccer team is set to host Missouri Southern in its annual Pink Out game on Friday at 3 p.m., followed by a Sunday afternoon matchup against Pittsburg State at 1 p.m.

The first 125 fans to attend Friday's contest will receive a commemorative 2024 Bearcat soccer Pink Out T-shirt. 
 
Last week, the Bearcats secured a 2-1 comeback victory over the Tigers in Hays, Kan. Adell Gore netted her first goal of the season, with Ximena Arnau delivering the game-winner in the 50th minute. On Sunday, Northwest played to a scoreless draw against Nebraska Kearney, extending their unbeaten streak to seven matches
 
Northwest received votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches' Association Top 25 poll for only the second time in program history. The Bearcats last received votes on Oct. 25, 2022.
 
Match Notes: Missouri Southern
The Lions enter Friday's Pink Out game with an overall record of 1-8-4 and are winless in the MIAA at 0-5-2. Last weekend, Missouri Southern fell 4-1 at home to Central Oklahoma.
 
Junior Nathalia Luiz leads the Lions with three goals and nine points, having started all 13 games this season. Goalkeeper Bella Smith has also been a consistent presence, starting every match and recording three shutouts while keeping 78 shots out of the net.
As a team, Missouri Southern has scored just eight goals this season.
 
Head-to-Head
Northwest has a 22-14-4 all-time record against Missouri Southern, with their most recent meeting resulting in a scoreless draw in Joplin. The last time the Bearcats faced the Lions at home, resulted in a 4-0 shutout victory on Senior Day. 
 
In its last eight encounters, Northwest has posted an impressive 7-1 record.
 
Match Notes: Pittsburg State
The Gorillas are set to travel to face the No. 20-ranked Griffons on Friday before heading to Maryville on Sunday. Pittsburg State has a record of 6-5-2, including a 2-3-2 mark in the MIAA, in its inaugural season as a women's soccer program. Last week, the Gorillas secured a 3-0 home victory over the Newman Jets in their only match.
 
Jadyn Newell and River Riley lead the team with three goals each this season, while McKenna Robinson stands out with a team-high 11 points, including seven assists and 15 shots on target. 
 
Head-to-Head:
Northwest and Pittsburg State will square up against each other for the first time this Sunday. 
 
MIAA Women's Soccer Standings (As of Oct. 24)

1. Missouri Western (12-0-2, 7-0-1 MIAA)
2. Washburn (9-2-2, 6-0-1 MIAA)
3. Central Missouri (9-3-2, 6-1-1 MIAA)
4. Northwest Missouri State (6-2-6, 4-1-3 MIAA)
5. Central Oklahoma (7-5-2, 4-2-2 MIAA)
6. Fort Hays State (6-4-4, 3-3-2 MIAA)
7. Emporia State (5-5-2, 3-3-1 MIAA)
8. Northeastern State (9-4, 3-4 MIAA)
9. Pittsburg State (6-5-2, 2-3-2 MIAA)
10. Nebraska Kearney (5-4-5, 1-4-3 MIAA)
11. Missouri Southern (1-8-4, 0-5-2 MIAA)
12. Rogers State (1-10-2, 0-5-2 MIAA)
13. Newman (0-13-1, 0-8 MIAA)

 
MIAA Individual Statistical Leaders
Ekaterina Theoharidis currently ranks No. 2 in the MIAA with seven goals this season, placing her No. 47 in NCAA Division II. She leads the MIAA in total points scored with 18. Both Theoharidis and Makenna West are tied for third in the conference for assists, each contributing four. In goal, Lily Ellis continues to lead the league with 93 saves, averaging 7.15 saves per game, which ranks fifth nationally.
 
Additional Notes:
Head Coach Marc Gordon is in his seventh year leading Northwest's soccer program. Under his leadership, the Bearcats have had three consecutive winning seasons, compiling a 25-8-8 record in MIAA play over the last three years. Last season, they finished 8-5-6 and reached the MIAA quarterfinals before losing to Emporia State.
  
Northwest's 2024 team captains are senior Ashton Dain (Olathe, Kan.), junior Moira Franck (Monument, Colo.), and senior Sydney Mueller (Gretna, Neb.). The squad features a veteran core with ten seniors on the roster.
 
Theoharidis leads the team with 16 points, 36 shots, 25 shots on goal, and seven goals. Ximena Arnau follows closely behind with four goals. Senior Emily Yakle scored her first career goal, which was the game-winner against Augustana on Sept. 18. Darrian Gordon found the net for her first two goals against Missouri Western, while Madden also scored twice in a win at Newman, marking her first collegiate goals.
 
Ellis has started 13 of the Bearcats' 14 games this season, making 93 total saves and posting a 5-2-6 record and six shutouts. Ellis recorded a season-high 12 saves against Grand Valley State. She now ranks fourth in Bearcat history with 251 career saves. Adding to Ellis' success in goal, she recorded her 27th career shutout against Nebraska Kearney.
 
Ellis (Kearney, Mo.) captured her sixth MIAA Goalkeeper of the Week award on Oct. 8. Both Ellis and Arnau were named MIAA Athletes of the Week (9/17/24) for their performances during that week. Arnau (Kansas City, Mo.) has been named the MIAA Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in her early career. Arnau scored three goals total, including the game-winning goal, in a 3-1 victory against Southwest Baptist. She netted two goals in that win and contributed Northwest's only goal in a 1-1 draw against No. 2-ranked Grand Valley State. Over the course of three matches and 240 minutes of play, Arnau took 11 shots, with four on target. 
 
Career Saves
1. 394 - Kelsey Adams, 2010-13
2. 339 - Kathie Leach, 1999-01
3. 306 - Alison Sheridan, 2003-06
4. 251 – Lily Ellis, 2022-pres.
5. 204 - Ashley Malloy, 2014-17
6. 196 - Kira Lazenby, 2008-09
7. 174 - Alexis Serna Castillo, 2018-21
8. 156 - Michelle Goold, 2002, 04-05
9. 108 - Danielle Lawless, 2001-03
10. 77 - Ashley Williams, 2020-21
 
Northwest's Single-Season Goals
1. 11 - Tammie Eiberger, 2011
    11 - Victoria Von Mende, 2011
3. 10 - Kaylie Rock, 2021
4. 9 - Teagan Blackburn, 2021
     9 - Kaylie Rock, 2023
6. 8 - Rory Okey, 2000
    8 - Andrea Tritz, 2008
8.  7 - Beth Gutschenritter, 2004
     7 - Andrea Tritz, 2009
     7 - Holly Ramaeker, 2008
     7 - Kayla Griffin, 2006
     7 - Beth Gutschenritter, 2003
     7 - Victoria Von Mende, 2012
     7 – Ekaterina Theoharidis, 2024
 
Northwest's MIAA Player of the Week Selections (2024)
Lily Ellis – Oct. 8, 2024 (Goalkeeper of the Week)
Ximena Arnau – Sept. 17, 2024 (Offensive Player of the Week)
Lily Ellis – Sept. 17, 2024 (Goalkeeper of the Week)
 
The Bearcats remain at No. 5 in the latest United Soccer Coaches Central Region poll. 
 
United Soccer Coaches' NCAA Div. II Central Region Poll (As of Oct. 22)

1. Minnesota State
2. Washburn
3. Missouri Western
4. Central Missouri 
5. Northwest Missouri State
6. St. Cloud State
7. Northeastern State
8. Concordia-St. Paul
9. University of Mary
10. Harding