MATCH 5: SBU BEARCATS (2-2, 1-1 MIAA)
vs MISSOURI WESTERN GRIFFONS (0-3-1, 0-1-1 MIAA)
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 • 7:30 PM
SPRATT STADIUM  • ST. JOSEPH, MO (time and place changed due to field conditions)
LIVE STATS: via Missouri Western

MATCH 6: vs TRUMAN STATE BULLDOGS (3-1, 2-0 MIAA)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 • 12:00 PM
SBU SOCCER PITCH • BOLIVAR, MO

Game Notes: SBU | MWSU | TSU
 
BOLIVAR, Mo. -- With the first MIAA win of the year under their belts, the SBU Bearcats prepare for their home opener against the Missouri Western Griffons, followed by the conference leading Truman State Bulldogs.

The Bearcats rank as one of the highest powered offenses in the MIAA, tied with Central Missouri for the most goals scored in the league, with eight. The Bearcats have also recorded seven assists, also trying them for first in the conference.

Freshman forward Ashley Creason was awarded the MIAA Soccer Student-Athlete of the Week for her play against Emporia State and Central Missouri last week. Creason recorded both her first career goal, first career assist, and first career hat trick against the Hornets, in the Bearcats' 5-2 win. Creason is currently the team leader in goals (3), points (7), shots (13), and shots on goal (6).

Defender Marene Gomez has shown her offensive skill over the past two matches, scoring a goal against the Hornets and Jennies. Gomez has five points on the year, with the two goals and an assist.
   
THE COACHES AND THE ALL-TIME SERIES

Bearcat head coach Rob Podeyn is in his second season along the SBU sideline. Podeyn led the Bearcats to a 7-9-3 record last year after coming to SBU from Northwood University (Texas), where he captured two conference titles over three years. After earning his 60th career win earlier this season, Podeyn has a career mark of 61-63-10.

Jeff Hansen is 15-58-9 in his fifth year at Missouri Western. Hansen joined the Griffons' staff after assisting at Central Missouri for two seasons. During his playing career, Hansen competed at Missouri Southern.

Mike Cannon is in his 18th season at Truman, where he has compiled a 234-81-30 (.722) career record, the most in Bulldog soccer history, and eighth all-time in NCAA Division II.

The Bearcats hold a 5-5 mark all-time against Missouri Western, but have dropped three of their last four meetings. SBU is 3-16-5 against Truman, dating back to 1993.

SCOUTING THE GRIFFONS AND BULLDOGS

The Missouri Western Griffons went 0-1-1 in the opening week of conference play, after falling to Nebraska-Omaha, 2-0, and drawing with Northwest Missouri State.

Junior midfielder Audrey Henderson is the Griffons' leading scorer, with two goals. Heather Schmiemeier is another weapon in the Western attack, averaging 2.75 shots per game, fifth-most in the MIAA.

The Truman State Bulldogs sit in a first place tie with Missouri Southern in the MIAA, but will face the Lions for the top spot this week. Bulldog goalkeeper Jayne Grisham was nominated for MIAA Student-Athlete of the Week after logging 135 scoreless minutes in goal. Truman is coming off two straight shutouts, and haven't allowed a goal in nearly 235 minutes.

Offensively, the Bulldogs have a balanced attack, with four different players scoring Truman's six goals to date. Senior Beth Bystrom and sophomore Olivia Hayes each have two goals apiece, a team high. Three different players have scored game winning goals.