Friday, Oct. 3 | 3:00 p.m.
Northwest Missouri State vs. Central Oklahoma
Maryville, Mo. | Bearcat Pitch 
WATCH | LIVE STATS
 
Sunday, Oct. 5 | 1:00 p.m.
Northwest Missouri State vs. Newman 
Maryville, Mo. | Bearcat Pitch 
WATCH | LIVE STATS

The Northwest Missouri State University women's soccer team (4-2, 1-0) will continue MIAA play with back-to-back home games against the University of Central Oklahoma (2-3-3, 0-1-1) on Friday at 3 p.m., and then will face off with Newman University (1-6-1, 0-2-0) on Sunday at 1 p.m. for the teams Senior Day and Mental Health Game. 
 
The team will recognize seniors Lily Ellis, Moira Franck, and Margaret Madden as a part of their senior day celebration. 
 
Northwest is coming off a 1-0 victory against Northeastern State University, thanks to defender Emma Cook converting a penalty kick late in the second half giving Northwest the win. It is the first time since 2012 that Northwest has opened MIAA play with a victory.
 
Match Notes: University of Central Oklahoma
The Bronchos will enter Friday's match with a 2-3-3 overall record and a 0-1-1 mark in MIAA play. Last week, Central Oklahoma beat non-conference opponent Southwestern Oklahoma State 1-0, tied against Washburn in a 0-0 scoreless game, and fell to Emporia State 2-0. Central Oklahoma currently ranks 10th in the MIAA standings. 
 
Head-to-Head
Central Oklahoma leads the all-time series 8-3-2, but Northwest has won or tied four out of the five last matchups, with their most recent meeting ending in a scoreless draw last season. 
 
Last five matchups vs. Central Oklahoma 
10/04/24 – T, 0-0 (A)
10/15/23 – W, 3-0 (H)
10/09/22 – W, 2-0 (A)
10/22/21 – W, 2-1 (H)
10/25/19 – L, 0-8 (A)
 
The Bronchos highest scorer this season has been sophomore Jordan Tanges with a team-high two goals, with players Rebekah George, Carter Caleah, Elena Conway, and Kaitlyn Cotton behind her with one goal. Sophomore Carter Caleah stands out with 18 shots and with six of them being on goal, leading the team in both categories. Goalkeeper Avery Bass (2-2-3) has started in all eight games the Bronchos have played this season, recording 33 saves and earning three shutouts. 
 
Match Notes: Newman University 
The Jets enter Sunday's contest with an overall record of 1-6-1 and 0-2 in the MIAA, currently sitting at the bottom of the standings. The Jets dropped both of their opening MIAA matchups, losing 3-1 to Emporia State and 1-0 to Washburn. Before facing the Bearcats, the Jets will take on Missouri Western Friday in St. Joseph, Mo.
 
Head-to-Head
Northwest has an all-time series lead of 7-2-1, having won four consecutive matches against the Jets. In their last meeting, which took place in Wichita, Kan. last season, the Bearcats secured a 2-0 victory. 
 
Last five matchups vs. Newman
10/06/24 – W, 2-0 (A)
10/13/23 – W, 5-0 (H)
10/07/22 – W, 1-0 (A)
10/24/21 – W, 1-0 (H)
10/27/19 – L, 0-1 (A)
 
Graduate student Delphine Dzidzinyoz Sosu leads the charge for the Jets this season with five goals, 30 shots, and 15 shots on goal, setting the team-high for each. Goalkeeper Carla Apodaca (1-6-1) has started in all eight games this season, recording 39 saves while facing 132 shots. 
 
MIAA Women's Soccer Standings (As of Sept. 30)
1. Northwest Missouri State (4-2, 1-0 MIAA)
2. Emporia State (5-3, 2-0 MIAA)
3. Pittsburg State (6-1-1, 1-0-1 MIAA)
4. Central Missouri (4-2-2, 1-0-1 MIAA)
5. Washburn (4-2-2, 1-0-1 MIAA)
6. Missouri Western (4-0-2, 0-0-1 MIAA)
7. Missouri Southern (2-3-3, 0-0-2 MIAA)
8. Nebraska-Kearney (2-3-2, 0-0-2 MIAA)
9. Northeastern State (5-2-1, 0-1-1 MIAA)
10. Central Oklahoma (2-3-3, 0-1-1 MIAA)
11. Fort Hays State (2-4-1, 0-1-1 MIAA)
12. Rogers State (0-3-4, 0-1-1 MIAA)
13. Newman (1-6-1, 0-2 MIAA)
 
Additional Notes:
Northwest is currently ranked No. 6 in the United Soccer Coaches Central Region Rankings.
 
United Soccer Coaches Central Region Rankings (Sept. 30)
1. Minnesota State University-Mankato
2. University of Central Missouri
3. Augustana University
4. Missouri Western State University
5. St. Cloud State University
6. Northwest Missouri State
7. Concordia University-St. Paul
8. Northeastern State University
9. Emporia State University
10. Pittsburg State University
 
The Bearcats have had seven different goal scorers in 2025. Senior Margaret Madden has scored a team-best three goals this season, including a game-winner at UMSL (Sept. 10). Junior Makenna West has taken a team-high 12 shots.
 
Sophomore Emma Cook was named MIAA Women's Soccer Defender of the Week. Cook scored her first career goal against NSU on a penalty kick and played a key defensive role in posting a shutout against the RiverHawks. 
 
Senior goalkeeper Lily Ellis posted her 30th career shutout at Northwest where she still holds the school record for most shutouts in an individual's career. Ellis ranks No. 2 on the NCAA Division II active career leaders list for shutouts.
 
NCAA Div. II Active Career Leaders - Shutouts
1. 34, Julia Pinnell (Point Loma)
2. 30, Lily Ellis (Northwest Missouri State)
3. 25, Amanda Farris (Texas Woman's)
    25, Keely Wieczorek (Colorado Mesa)
5. 24, Riley Urquiza (CUI)  
 
Northwest Career Leaders - Shutouts
1. 30, Lily Ellis (2022-pres.)
2. 16, Kira Lazenby (2008-09)
3. 11, Kelsey Adams (2010-13)
4. 9, Kathlie Leach (1999-2001)
5. 7, Ashley Malloy (2014-17)
 
Ellis also has reached 300 saves and ranks No. 5 on the NCAA Div. II active career list.
 
NCAA Div. II Active Career Leaders - Saves
1. 346, Samantha Merklin (Bloomsburg)
2. 340, Gianna Bonnett (Southern Nazarene)
3. 328, Becca Schultz (Daemen)
4. 310, Megan Miller (Lock. Haven)
5. 300, Lily Ellis (Northwest Missouri State)
 
Northwest Career Leaders - Saves
1. 394, Kelsey Adams (2010-13)
2. 339, Kathie Leach (1999-2001)
3. 306, Alison Sheridan (2003-06)
4. 300, Lily Ellis (2022-pres.)
5. 204, Ashley Malloy (2014-17)
 
Ellis is Northwest leaders in goalkeeper victories as well with a record of 27-17-14.
 
Northwest Career Leaders – Goalkeeper Wins
1. 26-17-14, Lily Ellis (2022-pres.)
2. 21-29-8, Kelsey Adams (2010-13)
    21-33-5, Alison Sheridan (2003-06)
4. 20-16-3, Kira Lazenby (2008-09)
5. 15-25-1, Kathie Leach (1999-2001)
 
Head Coach Marc Gordon is in his eighth season leading the Bearcat soccer program. Last season, Northwest posted a record of 7-6-6 overall, ending its season in the MIAA quarterfinal round to University of Central Missouri. Northwest has produced four straight winning seasons under Gordon and has gone 41-23-16 in MIAA play over the previous four campaigns.
 
Northwest has named Senior Lily Ellis (Kearney, Mo), Senior Moira Franck (Monument, Colo.), and Margaret Madden (Papillion, Neb.) as captains for the 2025 season. Returning to the team this season Northwest has four out of five players recognized by the MIAA last year with Ximena Arnau being a First-Team All-MIAA selection, and Makenna West, Moira Franck, Lily Ellis receiving Honorable All-MIAA Mentions. 
 
Northwest is picked to finish sixth in the preseason MIAA coaches' poll, receiving 89 points total. 
 
2025 MIAA WOMEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Central Missouri [4] – 132 points
2. Central Oklahoma [4] – 126 points
3. Missouri Western – 124 points
4. Washburn [5] – 123 points
5. Northeastern State – 92 points
6. Northwest Missouri State – 89 points
7. Pittsburg State – 71 points
8. Nebraska Kearney – 69 points
9. Fort Hays State – 63 points
10. Emporia State – 53 points
11. Rogers State – 37 points
12. Missouri Southern – 19 points
13. Newman – 16 points 
[#] - Number of First Place Votes