MATCH 7: SBU BEARCATS (2-3-1, 1-2-1 MIAA)
vs. NEBRASKA-OMAHA
MAVERICKS (2-4, 2-2 MIAA)
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 • 4:00 PM
SBU SOCCER PITCH • BOLIVAR, MO
MATCH 8: at NORTHWEST MISSOURI
STATE BEARCATS (1-3-2, 1-2-1 MIAA)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 • 2:00 PM
BEARCAT FIELD • MARYVILLE, MO

GAME NOTES: SBU | UNO
 
BOLIVAR, Mo. -- After two matches in which SBU narrowly missed picking up a few extra points in the MIAA standings, the Bearcats look to gain some ground against the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks, and the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats

Once one of the highest-scoring offenses in the MIAA, the Bearcats' attack has slowed after being shutout in their previous two games. However, SBU is still ranked third in the MIAA in goals scored, with eight (1.33/game).

Sophomore goalkeeper Megan Link is coming off a solid week, collecting her sixth career shutout against Missouri Western. Link ranks in the top 50 nationally in save percentage (.865), and in the top 100 in the country in GAA (1.059).

Ashley Creason, a forward from Lee's Summit, Mo., continues to rank among the conference leaders. Her seven points to date (three goals and one assist) put her 2nd in the league. Defender Marene Gomez is tied for 7th with five points (two goals, one assist), and is 2nd in the MIAA in points per game (1.25).

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 61-64-11.

Don Klosterman is a two-time national coach of the year for Nebraska-Omaha, and has led the Mavs to four national semifinal appearances, including their 2005 NCAA Division II national championship.

Tracy Hoza has been the head coach of the Northwest Missouri soccer program since 2003, and won a program-record 11 games just last season. Hoza saw three green Bearcats named to the All-MIAA team last year, the most since her arrival.

The Bearcats have yet to defeat the Mavericks, going 0-5-2 since their first meeting in 2003. SBU played Omaha to a 1-1 draw in their 2004 NCAA Tournament appearance, but lost on penalties, 4-3. The other tie came at home last year. The 'Cats hold a 13-7 advantage over Northwest Missouri,
and hold a 6-2 record against the green Bearcats since 2006.


SCOUTING THE MAVERICKS AND BEARCATS
Nebraska-Omaha has been struggling this season, compared to their usual standing in the MIAA. The Mavericks sit at 2-2 in conference play, falling to Truman and Central Missouri. Goalkeeper Lauren Fox ranks third in the league in saves (31), and has one shutout on the year. A pair of Mavericks, Bri Exstrom and Megan Kingston lead the team with five points each, while Hilary Horvatic has a team-high two assists. Omaha does have a knack for earning penalties; Through six games, three different players (Exstrom, Kingston, and Monica Bosllevac) have punched in a PK.

Northwest Missouri's Kelsey Adams is the anchor of a defense that has allowed just 1.05 goals per game. Adams leads the MIAA in saves, with 36. Offensively, the green 'Cats have struggled, scoring just three goals to date (One each from Hannah Silvey, Emilee Davison, and Kelly Obley).