ST. JOSEPH – Following the greatest regular season in program history, Griffon soccer will host a postseason game for the first time this Wednesday when Central Oklahoma visits for the first round of the MIAA Championships.
Missouri Western is the No. 2 seed in the conference postseason event while Central Oklahoma is the No. 7 seed. The Griffons defeated the Bronchos 3-0 in Edmond, Oklahoma on Oct. 13. It was Missouri Western’s first-ever win over Central Oklahoma. The Bronchos were picked second in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll while the Griffons were picked sixth.
FAN INFORMATION
Wednesday’s first round game will begin at 6 p.m. with gates opening at 5 p.m. Per MIAA policy, there will be a $5 admission fee for all fans over the age of six. Children six and under will be admitted free. Dave Riggert will broadcast the game live on ESPN 1550 in St. Joseph. Here is a link to the radio broadcast and the links for live stats and the live video broadcast can be found at GoGriffons.com.
The MIAA Championship semifinals and finals will be held Nov. 3 and 5th at the site of the highest remaining seed. The $5 admission fee will continue through those rounds. The MIAA Network will take over the video stream for those two rounds. Video streaming for the semifinals and finals will be pay-per-view.
RECORD BREAKING SEASON
A win Wednesday would be another program first in a season filled with broken records and first time occurrences for Griffon soccer. The team’s 15 wins are the most in program history as were the nine MIAA victories. In addition to the following season records that have been broken this year, members of the team also broke several individual career records.
MWSU Records Broken in 2017
Points – 128 (team), Cassidy Menke – 30
Points Per Game – 7.11 (team), Cassidy Menke – 1.67
Goals – 47 (team), Cassidy Menke – 14
Goals per Game – 2.61 (team), Cassidy Menke (0.78)
Game Winning Goals – 15
Assists – 34 (team), Sydney Cluck – 8, Madeline Cowell – 7
Assists Per Game – 1.89 (team), Sydney Cluck – 0.44, Madeline Cowell – 0.39
Shots – 334 (team), Cassidy Menke – 105
Shots on Goal – 166 (team), Cassidy Menke – 51
Save Percentage – .857 (team), Sarah Lyle – .850
Goals Against Average – 0.55 (team), Sarah Lyle – 0.60
Wins – 15 (team), Sarah Lyle – 13
Shutouts – 12
THE GRIFFONS
The Griffons outscored opponents 47-10 in the regular season, scoring the second most goals in the MIAA and allowing the second fewest. Saves per game (3.33) was the only major statistical category in which Missouri Western didn’t rank first or second in the MIAA. That was largely in part to the Griffons limiting opponents to the second fewest shots on goal (70) in the MIAA. Missouri Western’s 34 assists led the MIAA and ranked 21st in the nation while its 128 points were second in the MIAA and 17th in the nation. The Griffons shut out 12 opponents on the season, ranking second in the MIAA and eighth in the nation for shutout percentage.
Cassidy Menke finished the regular season leading the MIAA with 14 goals, which ranked 18th nationally. The junior finished second in the MIAA with 30 total points. Sydney Cluck’s eight assists ranked second in the MIAA and 19th nationally while her 22 points ranked fourth in the conference. Madeline Cowell finished third in the MIAA with seven assists. Bridget Blessie’s four game winning goals were second most in the MIAA. Sarah Lyle ranked second in the MIAA with an .850 save percentage, going 13-3 as the starting goalkeeper with three complete shutouts and seven assisted.
THE BRONCHOS
Central Oklahoma dropped its final two regular season games to drop to the No. 7 seed in the postseason tournament. A perennial MIAA power, 19 current Bronchos were a part of the 2016 team that went 15-7-1, advanced to the MIAA postseason championship game and won a first round game in the NCAA Division II Central Region tournament.
UCO scored 42 goals in the regular season (3rd in the MIAA) while allowing 31 (4th most in the MIAA). Asha Hallie and Kelsie Eason each scored eight goals to lead the Bronchos this season. Mikayla Lowery and Morgan Cherry each scored five goals. Lowery’s four assists led the team. Ally Salls started 10 regular season games for UCO, going 6-4 with a 1.38 goals against average, one complete shutout and another shared. Kaitlyn Asher went 1-5 in goal for the Bronchos with a 1.99 goals against average and one complete shutout.
LOOKING AHEAD
A win Wednesday would put the Griffons into the MIAA Championship semifinals. They would play the winner of the No. 3 Northeastern State versus No. 6 Washburn game on Friday, Nov. 3. The semifinals and finals will be hosted by the highest remaining seed after Wednesday’s first round. A loss Wednesday means the Griffons will have a long wait to determine if their season continues. The NCAA selection show is set for Monday, Nov. 6 at 5 p.m.
— MWSU Athletics —