Wednesday, Nov. 5 | 2 p.m.
Missouri Western at Northwest Missouri State
Maryville, Mo. | Bearcat Pitch 
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The Northwest Missouri State University women's soccer team is taking on Missouri Western on its home turf at the Bearcat Pitch on Wednesday at 2 p.m. and will act as the team's Bayo Joachim Award game.
 
Last week the Bearcats faced the No. 19 Icabods in a tough match resulting in a 2-0 win for Washburn. The Bearcats then took on Emporia State in a match that ended 0-0 in the first draw for the Bearcats this season. Northwest now has an overall record of 10-4-1 and 7-2-1 in the MIAA, which allows them to hold firm at No. 4 in the MIAA standings. 
 
Match Notes: Missouri Western 
The Griffons will enter Friday's contest with an overall record of 9-2-6 and 5-2-4 in the MIAA and are currently ranked No. 5 in the MIAA standings. Last week, Missouri Western tied both its matches, ending both matches in scoreless draws against Emporia State and No. 19 Washburn. 
 
Head-to-Head
Northwest holds the all-time series lead, 17-10-7, with Northwest having won or tied four out of the five last matchups. Last season the Griffons beat the Bearcats 3-2 in St. Joseph, Mo. Junior Kendall Knisley has dominated offensively for the Griffons, with six goals, 51 shots, and 28 of those on target, earning the team-high in every category. Rounding out the top three for MoWest are senior Aidyn Woodall and senior Rachyl Benavides, with two and three goals respectively. For the defense, the Griffons have primarily relied on sophomore goalkeeper Morgan Byrd who has earned 39 saves and seven shutouts, while facing 96 shots this season. Byrd has played in 15 out of 17 games this season. Missouri Western has also relied on junior goalkeeper Katie Stoskopf who has made 15 saves while facing 33 shots this season. Stoskopf has played in six out of 17 games this season
 
MIAA Women's Soccer Standings (As of Nov. 3)
1. Washburn (11-2-4, 8-0-3 MIAA)
2. Pittsburg State (13-2-2, 8-1-2 MIAA)
3. Central Missouri (10-4-4, 7-2-3 MIAA)
4. Northwest Missouri State (10-5-1, 7-3-1 MIAA)
5. Missouri Western (9-2-6, 5-2-4 MIAA)
6. Emporia State (8-5-4, 5-2-4 MIAA)
7. Central Oklahoma (7-5-5, 5-3-3 MIAA)
8. Northeastern State (10-6-1, 5-5-1 MIAA)
9. Rogers State (2-7-7, 2-5-4 MIAA)
10. Nebraska Kearney (3-9-4, 1-6-4 MIAA)
11. Fort Hays State (3-11-2, 1-8-2 MIAA)
12. Newman (2-13-2, 1-9-1 MIAA)
13. Missouri Southern (2-12-3, 0-9-2 MIAA)
 
Additional Notes:
Northwest is currently ranked No. 9 in the United Soccer Coaches Central Region Rankings.
 
United Soccer Coaches Central Region Rankings (Nov. 4)
1. Minnesota State University–Mankato (15-0-2)
2. Washburn University (11-2-4)
3. Pittsburg State University (13-2-2)
4. Bemidji State University (12-2-3)
5. University of Central Missouri (10-4-4)
6. St. Cloud State University (12-1-4)
7. Concordia University–St. Paul (11-3-3)
8. Missouri Western State University (9-2-6)
9. Northwest Missouri State University (10-5-1)
10. Augustana University (10-4-3)
 
The Bearcats have had eleven different goal scorers in 2025. Junior Makenna West currently leads the Bearcats with seven goals, 40 shots with 18 of them on goal, and has scored five game winning goals, earning the team-high in every category. Following close behind is senior Margaret Madden with four goals, 20 shots, with 12 of them on target. 
 
Senior goalkeeper Lily Ellis has earned 36 career shutouts 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. 37, Julia Pinnell (Point Loma)
2. 36, Lily Ellis (Northwest Missouri State)
3. 33, Keely Wieczorek (Colorado Mesa)
4. 30, Riley Urquiza (CUI)  
5. 28, Sarah Loewen (Simon Fraser)
    
Northwest Career Leaders - Shutouts
1. 36, 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 355 saves and is now fourth on the NCAA Div. II active career list. She also has the second most saves of goalkeepers who have played for Northwest.
 
NCAA Div. II Active Career Leaders - Saves
1. 424, Becca Schultz (Daemen)
2. 375, Samantha Merklin (Bloomsburg)
3. 359, Gianna Bonnett (Southern Nazarene)
4. 355, Lily Ellis (Northwest Missouri State)
5. 345, Megan Miller (Lock. Haven)
 
Northwest Career Leaders - Saves
1. 394, Kelsey Adams (2010-13)
2. 355, Lily Ellis (2022-pres.)
3. 339, Kathie Leach (1999-2001)
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 32-20-15.
 
Northwest Career Leaders – Goalkeeper Wins
1. 32-20-15, 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 captains for the 2025 season are senior Lily Ellis (Kearney, Mo), Senior Moira Franck (Monument, Colo.), and Margaret Madden (Papillion, Neb.).