Friday, Oct. 10 | 6:00 p.m.
No. 24 Northwest Missouri State at No. 9 University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Mo. | South Recreation Complex 
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Sunday, Oct. 12 | 1:00 p.m.
No. 24 Northwest Missouri State at Rogers State University
Claremore, Okla. | Soldier Field 
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The No. 24-ranked Northwest Missouri State University women's soccer team will hit the road this week with a clash against the No. 9-ranked University of Central Missouri (5-2-3, 2-0-2) in Warrensburg, Mo. on Friday followed by a match against Rogers State University (1-4-4, 1-2-1) in Claremore, Okla. on Sunday.
 
After back-to-back home victories last week for the Bearcats against Central Oklahoma, 1-0, and Newman, 3-0, Northwest will hope to preserve its three-game conference winning streak, its No. 24 nationally ranked position, and its number two spot in the MIAA standings. 
 
Match Notes: University of Central Missouri
The Jennies will enter Friday's match with a 5-2-3 overall record and a 2-0-2 mark in MIAA play. Last week, Central Missouri had decisive victories against Rogers State, 5-0, and Fort Hays State, 4-0, and most recently tied 0-0 against Nebraska Kearney. UCM is currently ranked No. 9 nationally and No. 4 slot in the MIAA standings.
 
Head-to-Head
The Jennies hold the all-time series lead 37-3-6 with the Bearcats facing them twice last season. The first match, held in Maryville resulted in a 4-4 tie, and the second match taking place in Warrensburg in the MIAA quarterfinal round in a close match, resulting in a 3-2 win for the Jennies. The Bearcats last defeated the Jennies on Nov. 6, 2009.
 
Junior Mikayla Ernst has dominated offensively for the Jennies with a team high 10 goals, 25 points, and 45 shots, with 24 of those being on target. Rounding the top three are sophomore Izzy Joyce and freshman Coryn Jespersen, each with three goals. The Jennies main goalkeeper, Kristen Wright has racked up 32 saves and six shutouts this season, ranking her No. 3 in the MIAA for both categories. Northwest goalkeeper Lily Ellis for comparison is ranked No. 1 in the MIAA for saves with 45 and is tied for No. 1 for shutouts with 5 this season. 
 
Match Notes: Rogers State University
The Hillcats enter Sunday's contest with an overall record of 1-4-4 and 1-2-1 in the MIAA, currently No. 8 in the MIAA standings. The Jets dropped their first two matchups last week, losing 5-0 to UCM and 3-0 to Pittsburg State before beating Missouri Southern, 2-0.
 
Head-to-Head
Northwest has an all-time series lead of 5-0, having won five consecutive matches against the Hillcats. In their last meeting, which took place in Maryville last season, the Bearcats secured a 2-0 victory. Junior forward Elle Beaulieu leads the Hillcats with team high three goals and six points. Following up close behind is Senior midfielder Kenzie Macklin with two goals, five points, eight shots, and team high four shots on goal. Goalkeeper for the Hillcats, Calais Butts, has made 75 saves with 192 shots faced this season.
 
MIAA Women's Soccer Standings (As of Oct. 8)
1. Pittsburg State (8-1-1, 3-0-1 MIAA)
2. Northwest Missouri (6-2, 3-0 MIAA)
3. Emporia State (6-3, 3-0 MIAA)
4. Central Missouri (5-2-3, 2-0-2 MIAA)
5. Washburn (5-2-2, 2-0-1 MIAA)
6. Missouri Western (5-0-3, 1-0-2 MIAA)
7. Northeastern State (6-3-1, 1-2-1 MIAA)
8. Rogers State (1-4-4, 1-2-1 MIAA)
9. Nebraska Kearney (2-4-3, 0-1-3 MIAA)
10. Central Oklahoma (2-4-4, 0-2-2 MIAA)
11. Missouri Southern (2-5-3, 0-2-2 MIAA)
12. Fort Hays State (2-6-1, 0-3-1 MIAA)
13. Newman (1-8-1, 0-4 MIAA)
 
Additional Notes:
Northwest is currently ranked No. 24 in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II National Women's Rankings. This is the first time Northwest Soccer has earned a top-25 ranking in the program's history.
 
United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II National Women's Rankings (Oct. 7)
1. Cal Poly Pomona (9-0-0)
2. Minnesota State University–Mankato (8-0-1)
3. Dallas Baptist University (10-0-0)
4. Grand Valley State University (8-1-0)
5. University of North Georgia (9-0-1)
6. University of West Florida (7-0-2)
7. Gannon University (8-0-1)
8. Catawba College (7-0-2)
9. University of Central Missouri (5-2-3)
10. Nova Southeastern University (7-0-2)
11. Colorado School of Mines (5-2-1)
12. Western Oregon University (7-1-1)
13. Mercy University (8-0-1)
14. Ashland University (8-2-0)
15. University of Colorado–Colorado Springs (7-1-2)
16. Florida Tech (6-1-4)
17. Thomas Jefferson University (8-1-1)
18. Francis Marion University (8-0-0)
19. Maryville University of St. Louis (6-0-4)
20. Bloomsburg University (6-2-2)
21. Western Washington University (5-1-3)
22. Franklin Pierce University (7-1-2)
23. Colorado Mesa University (7-2-0)
24. Northwest Missouri State University (6-2-0)
25. Regis University (8-1-1)
 
Northwest is currently ranked No. 3 in the United Soccer Coaches Central Region Rankings.
 
United Soccer Coaches Central Region Rankings (Oct. 7)
1. Minnesota State University–Mankato (8-0-1)
2. University of Central Missouri (5-2-3)
3. Northwest Missouri State University (6-2-0)
4. Missouri Western State University (5-0-3)
5. Concordia University–St. Paul (6-1-2)
6. St. Cloud State University (6-0-3)
7. Augustana University (6-1-2)
8. Pittsburg State University (8-1-1)
9. Emporia State University (6-3-0)
10. Northeastern State University (6-3-1)
 
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, the reigning MIAA offensive player of the week, has taken a team-high 19 shots and a team-high three game-winning goals.
 
Senior goalkeeper Lily Ellis posted her 32nd 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. 32, Lily Ellis (Northwest Missouri State)
3. 26, Keely Wieczorek (Colorado Mesa)
    26, Riley Urquiza (CUI)  
4. 25, Amanda Farris (Texas Woman's)
    25, Sarah Loewen (Simon Fraser)
    
Northwest Career Leaders - Shutouts
1. 32, 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 315 saves and ranks No. 5 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. 358, Samantha Merklin (Bloomsburg)
2. 350, Gianna Bonnett (Southern Nazarene)
3. 333, Becca Schultz (Daemen)
4. 317, Megan Miller (Lock. Haven)
5. 315, Lily Ellis (Northwest Missouri State)
 
Northwest Career Leaders - Saves
1. 394, Kelsey Adams (2010-13)
2. 339, Kathie Leach (1999-2001)
3. 315, 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 28-17-14.
 
Northwest Career Leaders – Goalkeeper Wins
1. 28-17-14, 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