WARRENSBURG,Mo.(Sept. 26, 2018)-- No. 8 Central Missouri will play two home games this week. The Jennies will stay at Jennies Field this week to take on the Bearcats of Southwest Baptist Friday, before taking on the Lions of Missouri Southern Sunday at 1 p.m. The Jens are 7-1-0 overall, and 1-0 in the MIAA after another week, falling to Missouri Western in St. Joseph, Mo. 0-1. But moving on quickly to take down Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, Mo. 4-1.
Opponent: Southwest Baptist
Where: Warrensburg, Mo.
When: Friday, September 28, 2018 - 7 p.m.
The Week Ahead
• The Jennies just came off of an 1-1 week on the road. The Jennies traveled to St. Joseph, Mo to take on Missouri Western and lost 0-1. After that the Jennies bounced back in Maryville, Mo. and defeated the Bearcats of Northwest Missouri State 4-1 that was the start of MIAA regular season play. The Jennies are back home for a pair of games this week.
• 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
Southwest Baptist: UCM leads 28-8-2
The Jens shutout the Bearcats in their one and only meeting last season in Bolivar, Mo. UCM defeated SBU 6-0.
Missouri Southern: UCM leads 21-8-2
UCM shutout the Lions in their only meeting last season as well. The two teams played in Joplin, Mo. and the Jennies defeated MSSU 2-0.
Scouting the Competition
Southwest Baptist
• The Bearcats are now 0-7-1 on the season . After falling to Northeastern State 0-2, and Central Oklahoma 1-8. Last season the Bearcats finished in 12th the MIAA with a record of 1-9-1.
• The Bearcats are led by Raegan Edwards and Maya Cofield. Edwards, a sophomore forward is leading the team in shots this season with 24 thus far and leading the team with two assist, she also has one goal on the season. Cofield, a freshman forward as well is leading the Bearcats in goals with two and has seven shots on goal on the season. Bearcat goalkeeper redshirt-sophomore Ashlyn Gibbs has 56 saves on the year thus far.
• Head Coach Mark Gordon is entering her fourth season as the Head Women's Soccer Coach.
• The Jennies lead the Bearcats all-time 28-8-2.
Missouri Southern
• The Lions are coming off of a 1-1 week last week after a pair of home games. Missouri Southern fell to Central Oklahoma 2-0. Then they came back to defeat Northeastern state 2-1 in overtime. Last season the Lions finished fifth in the MIAA 5-5-1.
• The Griffons are led by freshman forward Bailey Belcher, who has two goals on the season and 19 shots thus far. Sophomore mid-fielder/defender Meredith Belrose is a player to watch with two goals, three assist which leads the team, and nine shots on the season. The Lion goalkeeper junior Luz Galindo has 36 saves on the season and has one shutout.
• Head Coach Chris McNaughton is in his third season as the head coach with a record of 9-20-6. Coach McNaughton led the Lions to thier first MIAA tournament appearance since 2012 last season.
• Central Missouri leads Missouri Southern 21-8-2 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.
