Missouri Western soccer coach Chad Edwards has announced the signings of seven student-athletes for the 2015 team.

Edwards became the program’s all-time wins leader in 2014 during a season that saw more than 20 team and individual records broken. The team finished 9-9-1, the most wins in school history, and qualified for the postseason for the first time.

Megan Maenner
5-5, Midfielder
Omaha, Nebraska/Millard North
“Highly touted goalkeeper that recently moved to the field,” Edwards said. “She’s an extremely hard worker that will look to contribute in the midfield right away. She comes from a great high school and was trained in a high-level club environment.”
State finalist in 2014 at Millard North.

Cassidy Chappell
5-5, Forward
Owasso, Oklahoma/Iowa State University
“She’ll have two years to play here at Missouri Western,” Edwards says. “She’s a very athletic, technically gifted player that will help us right away on the offensive end.”
Played 154 minutes over two years at Iowa State…three-time first team All-State player in high school…was the female athlete of the year at Owasso High School.

Madeline Cowell
5-7, Midfielder/Defender
Bridgeton, Missouri/Duchesne H.S.
“She’s another heady, technical player with great field vision.” Edwards said. “She was recently selected to the St. Louis Hall of Fame Future Stars program.”
Lettered three years in high school…first team All-State, All-Region and All-Conference as a junior…two-time state champion.

Lawlor Christiansen
5-3, Forward
York, Nebraska/York H.S.
“A very athletic, under the radar player that will thrive in a competitive environment,” Edwards said.
Broke high school record for most hat tricks in a season as a junior…won a Central Conference Athletic Award for outstanding performance…First team All-Conference as a junior and honorable mention All-State.

Sarah Dervin
5-7, Midfielder
Omaha, Nebraska/Millard North
“Younger sister of current Griff Bailey Dervin,” Edwards said. “Another Millard North kid that’s extremely technical and a great worker that is also an incredible ball striker.”
Two time state runner up…plays for very successful club program.

Kaitlyn Unland
5-7, Midfielder
St. Charles, Missouri/Francis Howell H.S.
“Kaitlyn is a versatile player from a great high school program and also plays on a great club team.” Edwards said. “She’s versatile enough to play at multiple positions.”
She was a second team All-Conference selection as a junior.

Bailey Ketcham
5-7, Defender
Omaha, Nebraska/Millard North
“A tough, physical player that is solid technically,” Edwards said. “Bailey will look to compete for a starting spot in the back. Comes in as a teammate as Sarah Dervin and Megan Maenner.
A 2014 Metro Champion and state runner-up with Millard North in 2013 and 2014.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western senior infielder Tiffany Gillaspy has been placed on the Schutt Sports/NFCA Division II Softball National Player of the Year watch list. She is one of 50 players around the nation named to the list.

Gillaspy is coming off her best season as a Griffon. She finished the season leading the Griffons and was in the top-10 in the MIAA in batting average (.390), hits (73), doubles (13), home runs (13), RBI (60), total bases (125) and slugging percentage (.668). The Johnston, Iowa native was named named third team Daktronics All-American, Daktronics First Team All-Region, NFCA First Team All-Central Region and First Team All-MIAA for the first time in her career. She also was named the MIAA AstroTurf Hitter of the Week twice and finished her season with a hit in 23 of her last 25 games and had an 19-game hitting streak during that run.

Behind the collaboration between the NFCA and the NCAA Division II Head Coaches Committee, and the generosity of Schutt Sports, the award was created to honor the outstanding athletic achievement among softball student-athletes throughout Division II.

This inaugural group consists of 29 seniors, 14 juniors and seven sophomores that represent 37 programs from 18 different conferences across the country. Nine programs garnered multiple candidates, including Caldwell, out of the East Coast Conference (ECC), boasting five selections. Defending national champion and Lone Star Conference representative West Texas A&M picked up three nominations, while seven more institutions had two apiece.

The Great Lakes Valley Conference paced the way with five of its schools and seven student-athletes. The Lone Star and Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) each had four programs with seven and five student-athletes, respectively. The Pacific West Conference and California Collegiate Athletic Association followed with three, while the ECC, Heartland Conference, Northeast-10 Conference and Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference garnered two apiece.

The Top 25 finalists for the 2015 Schutt Sports/NFCA Division II National Player of the Year award will be announced on April 8. While an athlete does not have to be on watch list to be considered for the Top 25, the winner will come from the 25 finalists. The Top 10 finalists will be announced on April 30 and the Top 3 on May 13 or 14.

The Griffons begin their 2015 season this Friday when they play Henderson State at noon.

— MWSU Sports Information —

ST. CHARLES, MO — The Missouri Western men’s basketball team hung tough but didn’t quite have the firepower against one of the MIAA conference’s top teams.

The Griffons shot just 32.2% from the field in a 66-57 at Lindenwood Saturday.  Western held a 45-43 lead midway through the 2nd half, but the Lions used a 13-0 run to pull ahead for good.  Senior Cortrez Colbert and freshman Cole Clearman led Western with 19 and 18 points respectively, and were the only two MWSU players in double figures.  Lindenwood shot 50% as a team and had a balanced offensive attack.

The Griffons fall to 9-10 overall and 5-7 in the MIAA, while Lindenwood improves to 14-7 and 9-3 in conference play.

Missouri Western returns to action Wednesday when they host Northwest Missouri State at 7:30 p.m.

— MWSU Sports Information —

RUSSELVILLE, Ark. – The Missouri Western baseball team went split with No. 17 Arkansas Tech Saturday as they finished 2-2 in the four-game series with the Wonderboys.

GAME 1: MWSU 10, Arkansas Tech 4 (9 innings)

Missouri Western got its second straight win against #17 Arkansas Tech as they collected 12 hits and scored 10 runs.

The Griffons were able to jump out to a quick lead in the first two innings, producing two runs in the first inning and five runs in the second inning.

Missouri Western’s first score came on an RBI triple by David Glaude to score Ryan Degner. Cosimo Cannella grounded out to second but that allowed Glaude to come home for the second run for the Griffons.

The Griffons capitalized on a couple Arkansas Tech errors in the 2nd inning. Dylon Koch drew a walk to get a run in and Glaude reached on a throwing error by the third baseman that brought in Degner and LaHonta. Koch eventually scored on a passed ball as well.

MWSU put one run on the board in the 5th and 6th inning to build their lead to 9-4.

In the top of the 8th innings Orencio Fisher stole second and the Arkansas Tech catcher had a throwing error to allow David Glaude to score and make it 10-4 Griffons.

Banks Born got the start for Missouri Western as he went five innings allowing three hits and two runs. He also had five strikeouts on the day and got his first win of the season.

GAME 2: Arkansas Tech 11, MWSU 2 (7 innings)

Arkansas Tech took control of the final game of the series early. ATU scored one run in the 1st inning on a wild pitch and added seven more run in the 2nd inning.

Missouri Western was able to get two runs across the plate in the top of the 2nd inning. Trevor LaHonta singled to left field to score Cody Childs. Also in the half inning, David Glaude came home to score on an errant throw by the third baseman.

ATU had six hits and seven runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning. The Griffons committed two errors in the inning which contributed to five unearned runs to come home.

MWSU was able to load the bases in the top of the sixth but could not score a run to get any closer to ATU.

Missouri Western will be traveling to Searcy, Arkansas to play Harding University on Saturday, February 7th and Sunday, February 8th.

— MWSU Sports Information —

ST. CHARLES, MO — Two days removed form their most disappointing loss of the season, the Missouri Western women’s basketball team answered with their most complete performance of the season.

The Griffons snapped a 17-game road losing streak with a dominating 87-59 victory at Lindenwood University on Saturday to even their record to 9-9 overall and 4-8 in MIAA conference play.

Five Griffons scored in double figures, led by LaQuintta Jefferson, who posted 21 of her game-high 23 points in the second half.  Jefferson was a perfect 9-9 from the field.  Mhykeah Baez chipped in a career-high 15 points,  while Sarafina Handy (14 points) Mili Koyamainavure (12 points) and Arianna Novak (10) also had hot hands for Western.

The Griffons, who led 38-31 at halftime, used a 26-4 run midway through the 2nd half to put the game  away.  They shot 67.9% in the 2nd half and 58.9% for the game.

The win comes two days after a 76-72 loss at Lincoln that saw the Griffons surrender a 13 point lead in the game’s final eight minutes.

The victory marks Missouri Western’s first true road win since November 23rd, 2013 at Rockhurst.

Missouri Western returns to action Wednesday when they host Northwest Missouri State at 5:30 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —

RUSSELVILLE, Ark. – The Missouri Western baseball team opened its 2015 season on Friday and split a doubleheader at No. 17 Arkansas Tech. ATU took the first game 5-4 and the Griffons won 9-6 after a six run seventh inning in the second game.

GAME 1: MWSU 4, Arkansas Tech 5 (10 innings)

Errors hurt Missouri Western in a 10 inning loss at No. 17 Arkansas Tech in the first game of a four-game series Friday afternoon.

Bryan Heward scored the winning run on a throwing error by Josh Lansangan. Heward singled with no one out and one on, then reached second on an error earlier in the inning. Seth Wheeler’s bunt single sent Heward to third and the throwing error put him across the plate. Leading 4-3 heading to the bottom half of the 10th, MWSU committed two errors, had a wild pitch and walked one batter to help the Arkansas Tech effort.

Missouri Western jumped out to a 3-0 lead on David Glaude’s two-out, two-run home in the third. The Wonder Boys added two in the fifth and one in the eighth to tie the game at three. Missouri Western wouldn’t score again until Michael Yeager’s bunt single with the bases loaded and two out in the top of the 10th gave MWSU the 4-3 lead.

Lansangan took the loss allowing one hit and recoding no outs. Grant Woods pitched 5.1 innings, allowing six hits and two runs, while striking out two. Trevor LaHonta and Brandon Downs both went 2-5 with Glaude recording two RBI.

GAME 2: MWSU 9, Arkansas Tech 6 (7 innings)

The Griffons Ryan Degner blasted a home run in the first inning to put MWSU up 1-0. Arkansas Tech answered right back with a home run themselves to even the score at 1-1 heading into the second.

Both teams were held scoreless in the second and third inning before Arkansas Tech was able to string together four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to move the score to 5-1. The Griffons contributed two crucial errors to allow four unearned runs.

MWSU was able to get two runs in the top of the 5th inning when Cosimo Cannella doubled to left center to bring in both Orencio Fisher and Cody Childs. Arkansas Tech added one more run in the bottom of the sixth to bring the score to 6-3.

The Griffon bats came alive in the top of the seventh inning in a huge way. MWSU was able to collect six runs in the inning after getting six hits. Missouri Western held the lead in the bottom half of the seventh to finish the game 9-6.

Cosimo Cannella finished the game with three hits and four RBI’s. The Griffons Cody Childs went 2-3 and tallied two RBI’s in the victory. AJ Martinez got the win for the Griffons and Richard Peoples recorded his first save of the year.

Missouri Western will be back in action Saturday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to play another double-header against #17 Arkansas Tech.

— MWSU Sports Information —

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – For the third straight time on the road in MIAA play, the Missouri Western men’s basketball team overcame a double-digit second half deficit to win with a 79-72 victory at Lincoln Thursday night. Not only was it the Griffons third straight come from behind win on the road, but it’s the first time since 2003 the Griffons have won three straight over MIAA opponents on the road.

Missouri Western nearly pulled off the comeback in regulation but Lincoln forced overtime on a Joshua Buie layup with just two seconds left in the game. Missouri Western took their first lead since 10 minutes into the game on Dareon Jones’ layup with 27 seconds left in regulation. Jones’ go-ahead bucket capped a 26-12 run that erased a 15-point Lincoln lead with 9:31 to go. Jones had 11 in that run including a three to pull the team within one. Jones finished with a career-high 20 points to lead the team along with Cortrez Colbert.

The Griffons controlled the overtime period, jumping out to a nine point lead with a 9-2 run to open the extra frame. The win moved MWSU to 9-9 on the season, 5-6 in the MIAA, and handed Lincoln their 10th straight loss.

Kevin Thomas scored 12 with eight rebounds to lead the team on the glass with Colbert’s eight. Aaron Emmanuel finished with 10 points and six rebounds. Jones added seven rebounds. The Griffons finished 42 percent from the field. After having 11 turnovers in the first half, MWSU finished with 15 for the game.

If Missouri Western is to extend its recent success on the road, they’ll have to do it against one of the MIAA’s top teams when they travel to St. Charles Saturday to take on Lindenwood.

— MWSU Sports Information —

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A dominant final eight minutes by Lincoln turned the tide on the Missouri Western women’s basketball team as the Griffons suffered their 17th-straight road loss, 76-72 in Jefferson City Thursday night.

The Griffons led by 13 with 8:51 to go but Lincoln grabbed the lead with 1:47 left on the heels of a 21-5 run. During that run, Miliakere Koyamainavure, Sarafina Handy and LaQuinta Jefferson all fouled out for the Griffons with 10, 17 and 18 points respectively. Despite the run, and missing three of their top scorers, the Griffons had a chance to take the lead with three seconds remaining but Anna Rogers missed a three-point attempt and Kelsey Williams made two free throws to cap-off the comeback.

It was the team’s first loss of the season when at least three players scored 10 or more points. On top of double-digit nights from Jefferson, Koyamainavure and Handy, Ariana Novak scored 11 points. Jefferson led the Griffons on the glass with eight rebounds. Missouri Western had 19 turnovers, 14 in the second half, to 12 assists and forced 15 Lincoln turnovers. The Griffons stayed close on the glass, finishing with 30 rebounds to 31 for the Blue Tigers. MWSU finished shooting 49 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range and 70.6 percent at the free throw line.

The loss dropped MWSU to 8-9 on the year, 3-8 in MIAA play.  Missouri Western will have another chance to break the road losing streak Saturday when they travel to St. Charles to take on Lindenwood.

— MWSU Sports Information —

After a record-breaking 2014 campaign, the Missouri Western women’s soccer team has received a Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

The award recognizes teams that exhibit fair play, sporting behavior and adherence to the laws of the game, as reflected by the number of yellow caution cards or red ejection cards they are shown by referees throughout the season.

Griffon Soccer received a bronze award for having no more than 10 cards during the season. MWSU finished the season 9-9 overall, winning more games than any team in school history.

Head Coach Chad Edwards became the program’s all-time wins leader and the team qualified for the postseason for the first time ever, dropping a hard-fought match in the MIAA Tournament. Along the way the Griffons broke more than 20 individual and team records.

Missouri Western was also recognized by the NSCAA for excellence in the classroom for the fifth straight season.

— MWSU Sports Information —