Sunday, Nov. 9 | 1 p.m.
Northwest Missouri State vs. Missouri Western
St. Joseph, Mo. | Spratt Stadium 
WATCH | LIVE STATS
 
The No. 5 seed Northwest Missouri State University women's soccer team is taking on No. 4 seed Missouri Western in St. Joseph in a rematch in the first round of the 2025 MIAA Tournament.
 
Most recently the Bearcats took on Missouri Western at home in a tough match that resulted in a 1-0 win for the Griffons. Northwest has an overall record of 10-6-1 and 7-4-1 in the MIAA, which bumped the Bearcats to the No. 5 seed heading into the tournament.
 
The semifinals and championship matches will be contested Nov. 13 and Nov. 15 at the Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, Kan.
 
Match Notes: Missouri Western 
The Griffons will enter Sunday's contest with an overall record of 10-2-6 and 6-2-4 in the MIAA and are the No. 4 seed in the MIAA tournament. 

• Visiting fans may park in Lot I and enter Spratt Stadium at Gate 1.  
• General Admission is $5.00.
• Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets online in advance.

 
Head-to-Head
In the Bearcats most recent matchup, the Griffons managed to breakthrough the Cats' defense in the 81st minute with forward Kendall Knisley scoring, assisted by Rosemary Pujado and Aidyn Woodall, allowing MoWest to win the game, 1-0. Knisley has dominated offensively for the Griffons, with seven goals, 55 shots, and 30 of those on target, earning the team-high in every category. 
 
For the defense, goalkeeper Katie Stoskopf had three saves while facing 14 shots from the Cats'. Stoskopf has played in six of 18 games this season and has a total of 58 saves while facing 139 shots.
 
2025 MIAA Tournament Schedule
Quarterfinal Matches – Sunday, Nov. 9 – Campus Sites
No. 1 Pittsburg State vs. No. 8 Northeastern State in Pittsburg, Kan. - 1 p.m.
No. 2 Washburn vs. No. 7 Emporia State in Topeka, Kan. - 1 p.m.
No. 3 Central Missouri vs. No. 6 Central Oklahoma in Warrensburg, Mo. - 1 p.m.
No. 4 Missouri Western vs. No. 5 Northwest Missouri in St. Joseph, Mo. - 1 p.m.

Semifinal Matches -- Thursday, November 13 - Stryker Sports Complex (Wichita, Kan.)

Championship Match -- Saturday, November 15 - Stryker Sports Complex (Wichita, Kan.)
 
2025 MIAA Tournament Seeds
1. Pittsburg State (14-2-2, 9-1-2 MIAA)
2. Washburn (11-2-4, 8-0-3 MIAA)
3. Central Missouri (10-4-4, 7-2-3 MIAA)
4. Missouri Western (10-2-6, 6-2-4 MIAA)
5. Northwest Missouri (10-6-1, 7-4-1 MIAA)
6. Central Oklahoma (8-5-5, 6-3-3 MIAA)
7. Emporia State (8-5-4, 5-2-4 MIAA)
8. Northeastern State (11-6-1, 6-5-1 MIAA)
 
MIAA Individual Statistical Leaders
Makenna West is tied for fourth in the MIAA with eight goals this season, which also ranks her as 107th across Div. II. West also has the most game winning goals in the MIAA with five which puts her at 9th for Div. II. Goalkeeper Lily Ellis has provided the league's most saves so far this season with 96 and ranks 3rd in saves per game with an average of 5.47. Ellis ranks second in the MIAA in shutouts with 9 and 13th across Div. II.
 
2025 Bearcat All-MIAA Honorees
Two members of the Northwest Missouri State women's soccer team have received All-Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) honors for the 2025 regular season.
 
Makenna West and Lily Ellis were honored for the second team this season at MIAA Athletes of the Week.
 
Northwest's MIAA Player of the Week Selections
Lily Ellis – Oct. 21, 2025 (Goalkeeper of the Week)
Makenna West – Oct. 21, 2025 (Offensive Player of the Week)
Lily Ellis - Oct. 7, 2025 (Goalkeeper of the Week)
Makenna West - Oct. 7, 2025 (Offensive Player of the Week)
Emma Cook - Sept. 30, 2025 (Defensive Player of the Week)
 
Last Five MIAA Tournament Appearances
2024 - at Central Missouri (L, 3-2)
2023 - at Emporia State (L, 3-0)
2022 - vs. Emporia State (L, 1-0)
2021 - vs. #17 Emporia State (L, 2-0)
2019 - at Emporia State (L, 3-2 2OT)
 
NCAA Central Region Ranking (Games as of Nov. 2)
1. Minnesota State Mankato (15-0-2)
2. Washburn (11-2-4)
3. Pittsburg State (13-2-2)
4. Central Missouri (10-4-4)
5. Bemidji State (12-2-3)
6. St. Cloud State (12-1-4)
7. Missouri Western (9-2-6)
8. Concordia–St. Paul (11-3-3)
9. Augustana (South Dakota) (10-4-3)
10. Northwest Missouri State (10-5-1)
 
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, 21 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. 
    
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, giving her the second most saves of goalkeepers who have played for Northwest.
 
Northwest Career Leaders - Saves
1. 394, Kelsey Adams (2010-13)
2. 363, 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 32-21-15.
 
Northwest Career Leaders – Goalkeeper Wins
1. 32-21-15, 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 senior Margaret Madden (Papillion, Neb.).