EMPORIA, Kan. – The Missouri Western soccer team clinched the program’s first-ever home postseason game with a 3-0 win at Emporia State Sunday afternoon. The Griffons improve to 14-2 this season and 8-1 in the MIAA.

MWSU’s 11th shutout of the season guaranteed the team will play its first round MIAA Tournament game on Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium, Wednesday, Nov. 1.

With two more regular season games remaining, the Griffons are all alone in second place in the MIAA standings, just one game and three points behind Central Missouri.

SPREADING THE LOVE
Three different Griffons scored goals in Sunday’s game, including the first goal of the season for Ashlyn Powers. Bridget Blessie scored her fifth goal of the season and her third in the last four games in the 25th minute on a penalty kick. Powers got her first goal since her freshman season in 2014 on a shot from 25 yards out in the 48th minute off Sydney Cluck’s MIAA-leading eighth assist of the season. Cassidy Menke just squeaked in her 14th goal of the season with 10 seconds remaining in the game. Even with Menke’s MIAA-leading goal total, MWSU has received scores from 11 different Griffons this year, seven different Griffs have scored multiple goals.

RESERVE KEEPERS STEP UP
Reigning MIAA Goalkeeper of the Week Sarah Lyle was away from the team for personal matters this weekend and the team didn’t skip a beat. Lexie Martin and Ally Barb combined for the Sunday shutout after Martin blanked Washburn on Friday. Martin was credited with all three Missouri Western saves, Sunday. The Griffons out-shot the Hornets 18-6 and 8-3 on goal.

ROAD WARRIORS
After Sunday, the Griffons are 5-0 in MIAA road games this season and have not allowed a goal away from home in conference play. Overall, the team is 8-1 on the road with the only loss coming in a non-conference game at Central Missouri. On the season, MWSU has outscored opponents 17-4 in road games and 10-0 in MIAA road games.

UP NEXT
The final two regular season games of 2017 come next week. It begins Friday at Northwest Missouri State (6-8, 3-5). Senior Day comes on Sunday, Oct. 29, as the Griffons host current No. 1-ranked Central Missouri (15-0, 8-0).

— MWSU Athletics —