Friday, Oct. 17 | 3:00 p.m.
Northwest Missouri State vs. Fort Hays State University
Maryville, Mo. | Bearcat Pitch 
WATCH | LIVE STATS
 
Sunday, Oct. 19 | 1:00 p.m.
Northwest Missouri State vs. University of Nebraska Kearney 
Maryville, Mo. | Bearcat Pitch 
WATCH | LIVE STATS

The No. 21-ranked Northwest Missouri State University women's soccer team (7-3, 4-1 MIAA) is set to host back-to-back games on the Bearcat Pitch this weekend with their first game against Fort Hays State University (3-7-1, 1-4-1 MIAA) on Friday at 3 p.m., followed by a match versus the University of Nebraska Kearney (2-5-4, 0-2-4 MIAA) on Sunday at 1 p.m. for the teams Professor Appreciation game. 
 
Last week on the road the Bearcats had their first conference loss in a tough game against UCM, losing 2-1, but managed a decisive win over Rodgers State, 1-0, with a lone goal from sophomore Lillie Shaw. Northwest moved up to No. 21 in the national rankings and is now ranked No. 4 in the MIAA standings.
 
Match Notes: Fort Hays State University
So far this season, the Tigers have an overall record of 3-7-1 and a 1-4-1 mark in MIAA play. FHSU are currently ranked No. 11 in the MIAA standings. Last week, Fort Hays State split its matches, falling 2-0 to Central Oklahoma before bouncing back with a 2-0 win over Newman.
 
Head-to-Head
FHSU holds the all-time series lead, 9-3-1, but Northwest has won or tied three out of the five last matchups. Last season the Bearcats secured a 2-1 win in Hays, Kan. against the Tigers. Senior Sydney Cotton has dominated offensively for FHSU, with 10 goals, 16 points, and 49 shots, with 16 of those shots on target, giving her the team-high in each respective category. Following behind Cotton is Junior Chaley French with four goals, eight points, and 13 shots. For the defense, the Tigers have mainly relied on goalkeeper Hadley Ostrander, who has racked up 37 saves and four shutouts, while facing 100 shots this season. Ostrander has played in 10 out of 11 games this season. 
 
Match Notes: University of Nebraska Kearney
The Lopers enter Sunday's contest with an overall record of 2-5-4 and 0-2-4 in the MIAA, currently ranked No. 8 in the MIAA standings. Nebraska Kearney tied their first matchup last week against Newman University, 1-1, and then lost against Central Oklahoma, 3-0. Before facing the Bearcats, the Lopers will take on Missouri Western on Friday in St. Joseph, Mo.
 
Head-to-Head
Northwest has an all-time series lead of 4-3-5, having won or tied five consecutive matches against the Lopers. In their last meeting, which took place Kearney, Neb. last season, both teams tied in a non-scoring, 0-0 game. Standouts from the Lopers offensive include team-high goal scorers, Daniella Laquinta and Anna Thorhallsdottir, with each having scored two goals. Laquinta shot 16 times with a team-high 11 of those on goal. Another standout from the offensive includes Hanna Schimmer who has one goal, team-high 20 shots, with 10 of those on target. Goalkeeper Susie Bovaird has recorded 49 saves while facing 139 shots and has played in 10 out of 11 games
 
MIAA Women's Soccer Standings (As of Oct. 14)
1. Central Missouri (7-2-3, 4-0-2 MIAA)
2. Washburn (7-2-2, 4-0-1 MIAA)
3. Emporia State (7-3-1, 4-0-1 MIAA)
4. Northwest Missouri State (7-3, 4-1 MIAA)
5. Pittsburg State (8-2-2, 3-1-2 MIAA)
6. Missouri Western (6-1-3, 2-1-2 MIAA)
7. Central Oklahoma (4-4-4, 2-2-2 MIAA)
8. Nebraska Kearney (2-5-4, 0-2-4 MIAA)
9. Northeastern State (6-4-1, 1-3-1 MIAA)
10. Rogers State (1-5-4, 1-3-1 MIAA)
11. Fort Hays State (3-7-1, 1-4-1 MIAA)
12. Missouri Southern (2-7-3, 0-4-2 MIAA)
13. Newman (1-9-2, 0-5-1 MIAA)
 
Additional Notes:
Northwest has moved up to No. 21 in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II National Women's Rankings. 
 
United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II National Women's Rankings (Oct. 14)
1. Dallas Baptist University (11-0-0)
2. Grand Valley State University (8-1-0)
3. Minnesota State University–Mankato (9-0-2)
4. University of North Georgia (11-0-1)
5. Cal Poly Pomona (9-1-1)
6. University of West Florida (9-0-2)
7. Gannon University (10-0-1)
8. Catawba College (9-0-2)
9. University of Central Missouri (7-2-3)
10. University of Colorado–Colorado Springs (9-1-2)
11. Mercy University (10-0-1)
11. Nova Southeastern University (8-0-3)
13. Colorado School of Mines (7-2-1)
14. Western Washington University (7-1-3)
15. Thomas Jefferson University (9-1-1)
16. Ashland University (8-2-1)
17. Francis Marion University (10-0-0)
18. Bloomsburg University (8-2-2)
19. Simon Fraser University (8-0-2)
20. Colorado Mesa University (8-2-0)
21. Northwest Missouri State University (7-3-0)
22. Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University (Fla.) (5-0-4)
23. Cedarville University (7-1-3)
24. West Chester University (7-1-3)
       Adelphi University (7-2-0)
 
Northwest is currently ranked No. 3 in the United Soccer Coaches Central Region Rankings.
 
United Soccer Coaches Central Region Rankings (Oct. 14)
1. Minnesota State University–Mankato (9-0-2)
2. University of Central Missouri (7-2-3)
3. Northwest Missouri State University (7-3-0)
4. Missouri Western State University (6-1-3)
5. Concordia University–St. Paul (8-1-2)
6. Washburn University (7-2-2)
7. Augustana University (7-2-2)
8. St. Cloud State University (7-1-3)
9. Emporia State University (7-3-1)
10. Pittsburg State University (8-2-2)
 
The Bearcats have had eight different goal scorers in 2025. Senior Margaret Madden has scored a team-best four goals this season, including a game-winner at UMSL (Sept. 10). Junior Makenna West, has taken a team-high 22 shots and a team-high three game-winning goals.
 
Senior goalkeeper Lily Ellis posted her 33rd 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. 35, Julia Pinnell (Point Loma)
2. 33, Lily Ellis (Northwest Missouri State)
3. 27, Keely Wieczorek (Colorado Mesa)
    27, Riley Urquiza (CUI)  
4. 25, Amanda Farris (Texas Woman's)
    25, Sarah Loewen (Simon Fraser)
    
Northwest Career Leaders - Shutouts
1. 33, 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 322 saves and is now tied for fourth on the NCAA Div. II active career list. She also has the third most saves of goalkeepers who have played for Northwest.
 
NCAA Div. II Active Career Leaders - Saves
1. 379, Becca Schultz (Daemen)
2. 355, Samantha Merklin (Bloomsburg)
3. 333, Gianna Bonnett (Southern Nazarene)
4. 322, Lily Ellis (Northwest Missouri State)
     322, Megan Miller (Lock. Haven)
 
Northwest Career Leaders - Saves
1. 394, Kelsey Adams (2010-13)
2. 339, Kathie Leach (1999-2001)
3. 322, Lily Ellis (2022-pres.)
4. 306, Alison Sheridan (2003-06)
5. 204, Ashley Malloy (2014-17)
 
Ellis is Northwest leaders in goalkeeper victories as well with a record of 29-18-14.
 
Northwest Career Leaders – Goalkeeper Wins
1. 29-18-14, 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