Friday, Aug. 28 | 12 p.m.
Northwest Missouri State at Northern State
Aberdeen, S.D. 
WATCH | LIVE STATS
 
Sunday, Aug. 30 | 1 p.m.
Northwest Missouri State at Bemidji State 
Bemidji, Minn. 
WATCH | LIVE STATS

The Northwest Missouri State University women's soccer squad will kick off its 2026 season with a pair of non-conference matches on the road against Northern State and Bemidji State.
 
The 2026 opener is set for Friday, Aug. 28, at 12 p.m. in Aberdeen, S.D., against the Northern State University Wolves. Northwest posted a 2-0 victory over Northern State last season in Maryville, Mo.
 
Northwest will wrap up its first weekend of action Sunday, Aug. 30, with a 1 p.m. match against Bemidji State in Bemidji, Minn. Bemidji State tallied a 1-0 triumph over Northwest when the squads met last season on the Bearcat Pitch.
 
Northwest was picked to finish sixth in the 2026 MIAA Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll. The Bearcats placed fifth last year in the MIAA race with a mark of 7-4-1 in league play.
 
2026 MIAA WOMEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Washburn [7] – 138 points
2. Pittsburg State [6] – 136 points
3. Central Missouri – 119 points
4. Missouri Western – 108 points
5. Central Oklahoma – 96 points
6. Northwest Missouri – 92 points
7. Emporia State – 85 points
8. Northeastern State – 66 points
9. Nebraska Kearney – 45 points
10. Fort Hays State – 43 points
11. Rogers State – 41 points
12. Missouri Southern – 25 points
13. Newman – 22 points
[#] - First Place Votes
 
The Bearcats took part in three exhibitions prior to regular season play this fall. Northwest picked up a pair of shutout victories over Truman State (2-0) and William Jewell (5-0). Northwest dropped a 2-0 decision at Minnesota State.
 
Senior forward Makenna West has produced six game-winning goals to rank tied for fourth in program history. West tallied seven goals last year and has recorded 10 career goals for the Bearcats. West was a second-team all-MIAA performer in 2025.
 
Senior midfielder Ximena Arnau has gained eight career assists to tie for No. 8 all-time in program history. Arnau was a second-team all-MIAA pick in 2025.
 
Junior defender Emma Cook notched third-team all-MIAA honors last year. Cook's defensive efforts helped the Bearcats produce a .647 goal against average, which ranked No. 4 in the MIAA.
 
Head coach Marc Gordon has served as the program's leader since the 2018 season. Gordon is the only coach in Bearcat history with a winning record (59-54-21). Gordon's teams have been productive in the MIAA with a 38-30-11 mark in conference matches. Gordon was the 2021 MIAA Coach of the Year and led the Bearcats to their only NCAA Tournament bids in 2021 and 2022.
 
Gordon has led Northwest to six consecutive MIAA Tournament appearances. Gordon has helped guide Northwest to five consecutive winning season. Prior to Gordon taking over, Northwest had four winning seasons in program history.