WARRENSBURG, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State women's soccer team came up just short against the Central Missouri Jennies in its MIAA Quarterfinal match, 3-2. The Jennies converted on a penalty kick in the 81st minute to advance to the semifinals. 
 
Northwest sits at 7-6-6 overall, as Central Missouri advances with an overall record of 13-4-2. 
 
The Jennies took three shots in the first 20 minutes, with two on target, while the Bearcats struggled to generate offensive chances. Northwest earned the game's first corner kick at the 17:32 mark. 
 
Northwest opened the scoring in the 27th minute when Ekaterina Theoharidis netted her first goal of the game. Lucia Fernandez lofted a pass near the goal, and with Jennies' goalkeeper Kristen Wright unable to secure the ball, Theoharidis capitalized by sending the ball into the back of the net, putting Northwest up 1-0. 
 
Central Missouri responded shortly after, scoring in the 30th minute to tie the game at 1-1.
 
At the end of the opening half, the score remained at 1-1. The Bearcats saw their only shot of the half, resulting in the goal by Theoharidis, as the Jennies registered six shots (four on-target), and won the corner kick battle, 8-to-3. Northwest keeper Lily Ellis tallied three first-half saves. 
 
UCM scored three minutes after the break, making it a 2-1 game in the 48th minute. 
 
Theoharidis quickly responded with the equalizer in the 55th minute, scoring her second goal of the game and reaching her 10th goal of the season, tying her with Kaylie Rock (2023) for the third-highest season goal count in program history. 
 
In the 80th minute, after a Northwest goal kick, a foul was called on the Bearcats inside the penalty area, leading to a penalty kick for UCM in the 81st minute. The Jennies converted, sealing a 3-2 victory over Northwest in the MIAA quarterfinal.
 
UCM took 17 shots, with nine on target, compared to Northwest's five shots, all on goal. The Jennies also led in corner kicks, taking 10 to Northwest's four.
 
Ellis recorded six saves, bringing her career total to 271.
 
UCM will take on No. 2 seed Missouri Western at noon on Thursday, Nov. 14 in Wichita, Kan. 
 
Northwest's Single-Season Goals
1. 11 - Tammie Eiberger, 2011
    11 - Victoria Von Mende, 2011
3. 10 - Kaylie Rock, 2021
    10 – Ekaterina Theoharidis, 2024
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
 
Northwest's Career Saves
1. 394 - Kelsey Adams, 2010-13
2. 339 - Kathie Leach, 1999-01
3. 306 - Alison Sheridan, 2003-06
4. 265– 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
 
Up Next: 
Northwest now awaits its NCAA tournament fate, entering the latest NCAA Regional Rankings at No. 8.