MARYVILLE, Mo. – Sophomore midfielder Ximena Arnau fueled a second-half surge, scoring her sixth goal of the season and providing two assists, as the Northwest Missouri State women's soccer team dominated in a 4-1 Pink Out victory over Missouri Southern. 
 
Northwest improves to 7-2-6 overall and 5-1-3 in MIAA play, while Missouri Southern falls to 1-9-4 overall and 0-6-2 in conference action. The Bearcats have now extended their unbeaten streak to eight games and remain undefeated at Bearcat Pitch this season. 
 
Arnau, Ekaterina Theoharidis, Makenna West, and Linsi Mashburn each contributed to the scoring, accounting for all four of the Bearcats' goals.
 
The first half showcased a defensive standoff, with the Lions taking eight shots, three of which were on target. The Bearcats responded with seven shots, also landing three on goal. Despite Northwest holding a 6-to-1 advantage in corner kicks, they were unable to convert any opportunities. In the 32nd minute, Theoharidis drew a yellow card on the Lions' Sofia Fatino, resulting in a free kick just outside the box. Unfortunately, Theoharidis's shot sailed over the goal, leaving the score tied at zero as the teams headed into halftime.
 
Theoharidis recorded three shots in the first half, two of which were on target. Ashton Dain contributed one shot on goal, while West and Arnau each had an attempt. Bearcats' goalkeeper Leyah Scott, starting her second match of the season, successfully kept three shots from finding the net in the first half.
 
As the second half began, the Bearcats raised their level of play. In the 58th minute, Arnau took a free kick and scored the game's opening goal, putting Northwest ahead 1-0. Just 15 seconds later, they capitalized on a misplayed kick-off by Missouri Southern, allowing Theoharidis to score, with Arnau providing the assist, quickly extending the lead to two goals.
 
The scoring did not stop there, as the Bearcats drew another foul in the 67th minute, resulting in another free kick. Theoharidis came close again, but her shot was saved by the Lions' goalkeeper, who deflected it right to Arnau. Arnau then set up West for a right-footed shot that found the back of the net. 
 
With about six minutes remaining in the match, Missouri Southern's Fatino committed a foul in the box, giving Northwest a penalty kick opportunity. Mashburn stepped up to take the shot, successfully scoring her second career goal and extending the lead to a commanding 4-0.
 
In the 87th minute, Missouri Southern earned a penalty kick of their own, with Presley Whitmore scoring and breaking Leyah Scott's shutout.
 
Northwest showcased a dominant offensive performance, unleashing 23 shots throughout the game, with a new season-best 13 of those on target. The Bearcats also secured three additional corner kicks in the second half, dominating that category with a total of 9-to-1.
 
Scott (2-0-0) provided five saves, as Lions' keeper Bella Smith (1-9-4) kept nine out of the net. 

Theoharidis' eighth goal slides her up to No. 6 on Northwest's single-season goals list. 

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 – Ekaterina Theoharidis, 2024
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
 
Up Next:
Northwest will return to its home turf on Sunday, Oct. 27 to battle Pittsburg State at 1 p.m.