SBU BEARCATS (3-0) host Northwest Missouri (5-1)

September 20, 2008 • 4:00 PM • SBU Soccer Pitch • Bolivar, Mo.

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The undefeated SBU Bearcats will play their home opener on Saturday, has they host Northwest Missouri, who hold a 5-1 record on the season. The contest begins a stretch of 4 straight in Bolivar for SBU.

SBU is dominating the MIAA leader board in the early going. As a team, they are first in shots per game (26.67), points per game (19.00), goals per game (6.67), and assists per game (5.67). They lead in goals allowed per game, giving up an average of 1/3 per contest.

Individually, SBU's Rhiane Mitchell leads the league in points per game (7.33) and goals per game (3.33). Nicola Cousins is right behind her in points (5.67) and goals (1.67), and leads the conference in assists (2.33). Mitchell and Cousins are also #1 and #2 in both shots per game and shots on goal per game. Each of the scored three goals each in the 6-1 win at Missouri Southern on Saturday.

Johanna Olsson has allowed a single goal in 225 minutes (3 games) to stand at #2 in the conference.

“We approach every game as if it were the only game left on our schedule,” said SBU's head coach, Benjamin Wade. “We've had an excellent start, one of the the best in SBU history - but it's time to put our eyes forward and not backwards. What we do today, will determine what we do tomorrow, and what we do tomorrow we determine what we do in the national tournament. Out attack (Nicola Cousins, Jaymye Ross, and Rhiane Mitchell) is continuing to work together and we expect even better things from them in the future.”