WARRENSBURG,Mo.(Sept. 19, 2018)-- No. 1 Central Missouri will play two road games this week. The Jennies will travel to St. Joseph, Mo. to take on the Griffons of Missouri Western before heading to Maryville, Mo. to begin MIAA play. The Jens are 6-0-0 overall after yet another successful week, defeating Northwest Missouri State at home 4-1, and shutting out Lindenwood in St. Charles 3-0.
Opponent: Missouri Western
Where: St. Joseph, Mo.
When: Friday, September 21, 2018 - 6 p.m.
The Week Ahead
• The Jennies hit the road for their next two games, with one being a MIAA Conference match-up. UCM will first take on the Griffons of Missouri Western in St. Joesph, Mo. Friday Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. After taking on the Griffons the Jennies will head to Maryville, Mo. to take on the Bearcats of Northwest Missouri State. No. 1 Jennies are coming off of a dominate week defeating Northwest Missouri at home 4-1, and defeating Lindenwood in St. Charles, Mo. 3-0.
• 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 29-2-0
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. The Jennies defeated the Bearcats once this season 4-1 at Jennies Field.
Missouri Western: UCM leads 24-0-0
UCM shutout the Griffons twice last season, in there three meetings. The third and final match up of the 2017 season the Jennies beat the Griffons 4-1. The Jennies have never lost to Missouri Western in program history.
Scouting the Competition
Northwest Missouri State
• The Bearcats are now 1-4 on the season . After falling to the Jennies last week at Jennies Field 1-4 and falling to Missouri Western 0-4. 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 nine 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 and is 0-1 against the Jennies. He previously coaches at Ottawa University from 2010-2017.
• The Jennies lead the Bearcats all-time 29-3-4.
Missouri Western
• The Griffons are coming off of an (4-0) win against Northwest Missouri State. The Griffons are coming into this match up 4-2-0 on the season. Last season the Griffons finished 3rd in the MIAA 9-2-0.
• The Griffons are led by senior forward Cassidy Menke, who has three goals on the season and 21 shots thus far. Sophomore forward Claire Meyers is second on the team with two goals and eight shots. The Griffons goalkeeper freshman Anna Mayer has 26 saves on the season and has one shutout.
• 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 Missouri Western 24-0-0 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.
