WARRENSBURG,Mo.(Sept. 13, 2018)-- No. 1 Central Missouri is back at home this week to take on Northwest Missouri State before heading to St. Charles, Mo. to battle Lindenwood. The Jennies are 4-0-0 overall after two shutouts last week against St. Cloud State (3-0), and No. 13 Minnesota State Mankato (1-0).
Opponent: Northwest Missouri State
Where: Warrensburg, Mo.
When: Friday, September 14, 2018 - 7 p.m.
The Week Ahead
• The Jennies have two games starting on Friday, Sep. 14, as they host the Bearcats of Northwest Missouri State. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. UCM will then travel to St. Charles, Mo. to take on the Lions of Lindenwood Sunday, Sept.16 at 1:30 p.m. The Jennies are coming off week two with two shutouts. They defeated St. Cloud 3-0, and Minnesota State 1-0.
• The Jennies enter the 2018 season ranked No. 1 in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll (formerly National Soccer Coaches Association of America). UCM is coming off its eighth straight MIAA Regular Season championship, fourth MIAA Tournament championship, fourth straight Central Region crown, and a 2017 NCAA D2 National Championship Title.
Series History
Northwest Missouri: UCM leads 4-2-0
• The Jens shutout the Bearcats twice last season, the first shutout was on the road in Maryville, Mo. the Jens won 4-0. Then the Jennies defeated Northwest Missouri again at Jennies Field 6-0.
Lindenwood: UCM leads 13-2-0
• UCM shutout Lindenwood twice last season, the first match up the Jennies won 7-0 at Jennies Field. On the road the Jens defeated the Lions 3-0.
Scouting the Competition
Northwest Missouri State
• The Bearcats enter the 2018 season 1-2-0, after two weeks of play. The Bearcats are coming off of a 0-2 loss last week against Truman State. Last season the Bearcats finished in ninth the MIAA with a record of 4-7.
• The Bearcats are led by Mollie Holtman and Madi Krueger. Holtman, a sophomore forward is leading the team in goals this season with two thus far and has five shots on the season. Kruegar, a sophomore forward as well is leading the Bearcats in shots with six and has one goal on the season. Bearcat goalkeeper freshman Alexis Serna Castillo has 22 saves on the year thus far and has faced 57 goals.
• Head Coach Mark Gordon is in his first season as the Bearcats head coach. He previously coaches at Ottawa University from 2010-2017.
• The Jennies lead the Bearcats all-time 28-3-4.
Lindenwood
• Lindenwood Lions are coming off of an (1-0) win against Missouri S&T. The Lions are coming into this match up 2-1-1 on the season. Last season the Lions finished 10th in the MIAA 2-8-1.
• The Lions are led by sophomore forward Morgan Weller (MIAA Offensive Player of Week 2) whom has three goals on the season and 12 shots thus far. The Lions defense is lead by senior defender Jordan Wipke (MIAA Defensive Plaer of Week 2). The Lions goalkeeper sophomore Megan Swanson has 11 saves on the season and has two shutouts.
• Head Coach Dave Musso is in his first season as Lindenwood's coach. Previously the head coach at Quincy University for 12 seasons.
• Central Missouri leads Lindenwood 13-2-0 all-time.
Opening Weekend
• The Jennies 88 goals scored last this season ranks them in the top five in Division II in total goals at second.
• The Jennies are averaged 3.52 goals per game this season which ranked third in Division II in scoring offense.
• UCM's 45 assists last season was the most in the MIAA and was tied for tenth most in Division II.
• With 221 points total on 88 goals scored and 45 assists, the Jennies were third in Division II in total points.
• In 24 games last season, UCM outscored opponents 88-4 with a 538-204 shots advantage.
Bringing Home the Hardware
• The Jennies posted shutouts in 21 of their wins last season and their four goals allowed was the least allowed in Division II this season.
• The Jennies all-around defense in shutouts (21), shutout percentage (.875), goals-against average (.160), and save percentage (.956) leads all of Division II this season.
• The Jennies were only team in Division II that allowed just four goals this season. The Jennies four goals allowed was the least allowed in the MIAA. Their 21 shutouts and 25 wins was the most in a single season in UCM History
One for the Record Books
• The 2017 squad is the first team in program history and MIAA history to post 12 consecutive shutouts.
• UCM was just the fourth team in NCAA Division II history to post 12 consecutive shutouts
• Dating back to the 2015 season, UCM has scored a goal in 58 straight games which is both a UCM and MIAA record.
• The Jennies were 26-0-0 for the first time in program history. No other team in program history has ever accomplished that feat.
• UCM's 221 points and 88 goals are the most in a single season in program history.
