The Missouri Western women’s soccer team finished their third straight home game Sunday afternoon, losing to Northeastern State 3-1.

Without goalkeeper Kelly Voigts, Rayelin Garcia received the start for Missouri Western, her first career start for the Griffons.
The game was tightly contested for the first part of the game. Both teams played physical without gaining an edge. In the 39th minute, Kelsey Sheldon broke the 0-0 tie with a penalty kick, scoring on the left side.

The RiverHawks added to their lead with a goal from Elizabeth Cudjoe right as the whistle sounded to end the half.

The Griffons came out of the half ready to make a comeback, as midfielder Sydney Andrews scored on a penalty kick in the 48th minute. Before Missouri Western could continue its comeback, Northeastern State again made a goal, this time by Emily Voges in the 51st minute, marking the score 3-1.

Garcia finished with six saves in the game. MWSU also lost defender Emily Hoffmann and goal-leader Katie Kempf in the match, as both went down with injuries in the first half.

Andrews’ goal was her first of her young career. RiverHawks goalkeeper Maggie Kloza finished with 1 save and recorded her first win, and Northeastern is now 7-2 on the season, 3-1 in the MIAA. The Griffons are 3-6 and 1-3 in conference.

MWSU returns to the field Friday, October 5 at Washburn at 6:00 p.m.

— MWSU Sports Information —

No. 7th ranked Missouri Western welcomed Central Oklahoma to Spratt Stadium Saturday night, and continued its undefeated season, defeating the Bronchos 45-23. The Griffons scored twice in the final two minutes of action to improve their record to 5-0 overall and 5-0 in MIAA action. The 5-0 start is the best start under Partridge, they also did it in 2009.

The Bronchos, who recently upset No. 9 Washburn last week, brought plans to stage another upset on a top-10 team, but MWSU’s defense had other plans.

The Griffons started out playing good defense against the Bronchos. After the Bronchos took the ball deep into Griffon territory, the drive stalled out when Broncho quarterback Adrian Nelson through an interception at the 14-yard line.

Ben Jackson picked off his first pass of the season, taking it 30 yards the other direction to halt Central Oklahoma. Michael Hill fumbled on the ensuing play, however, giving the ball back to the Bronchos.

Missouri Western’s defense continued playing strong forcing UCO to give the ball up on downs on the ensuing drive. Defensive end David Bass stepped up to stop the play, tackling Joshua Birmingham for just a 1-yard gain, forcing the Bronchos to turn the ball over for the second time in the first quarter.

MWSU ended the first quarter with a 7-0 lead, didn’t give up a score in the first stanza for the fifth time in as many games. To start the second quarter, the Griffons drove the football down field, and Travis Partridge connected on a short pass to Hill moving the football into Broncho territory.

Five plays later, MWSU took advantage of the opportunity. The Griffons ran a reverse to wide-out Tyron Crockom, as he shook past two Central Oklahoma defenders on his way to a 22-yard touchdown run.

The Bronchos again started to move the ball down field, but once again failed to convert. They were forced to punt after moving the football to the MWSU 34-yard line.

A couple penalties along with David Bass’ fifth sack of the year, Central Oklahoma moved out of field goal range, giving the Griffons the ball back.

On the next drive, MWSU moved the ball effectively down field, and Reggie Jordan caught a 3-yard touchdown pass, his 4th touchdown reception of the season, putting the Griffons ahead, 14-0.

Less than three minutes later, Partridge scored on a 17-yard run making the score 21-0 with 8:18 to play in the half. The score would stay still through halftime as the Griffons gave up just 105 yards of offense during the first two quarters.

Hill rushed for 71 yards on 13 carries in the half while Partridge completed 12-of-18 passes for 129 yards and one touchdown. Ben Pitser had five tackles with one sack in the first frame.

The Bronchos were led by Birmingham with 62 yards on 10 carries while Devoris Dozier had six tackles.
After the break, Missouri Western added to its lead. After a holding penalty pushed the ball back to the Griffons 45-yard line, Partridge faked a run to Hill, and went through the middle of the Bronchos defense on his way to a 45-yard rushing touchdown, his second of the game.

Central Oklahoma answered with its own touchdown – a 6-yard run by Birmingham making the game 28-7 with 8:17 to play in the third quarter.

In the fourth, MWSU added on to its lead with a 45-yard field goal by Taylor Anderson. UCO added a late score, a 4-yard run by Birmingham and Nelson completed a two-point conversion to Leroy Travis, Jr., to put the game 31-15 late in the game.

After the Bronchos received the ball again, they drove 9 plays, 69 yards to score a touchdown and added a two-point conversion to draw within one score, 31-23.

Central Oklahoma could not recover the onside kick, giving Missouri Western the ball. The Griffons were able to add to their lead with a 30-yard touchdown run by Hill and a 58-yard interception by Michael Jordan giving the Griffons the 45-23 victory.

The Griffons had 467 yards of total offense with 243 coming on the ground. Hill finished the night with 143 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown while Partridge ran for 50 yards and two touchdowns. Kyle Knox had his best game as a Griffon catching seven passes for 108 yards.

UCO had 244 passing yards with Nelson connecting on 25-of-45 with one touchdown. Marquis Walters had six receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown while Birmingham had six catches for 53 yards. Dozier had 10 tackles for UCO. Central Oklahoma is 1-4 overall and 1-4 in MIAA play.

The Griffons continue to take on the MIAA newcomers next weekend when they travel to Talequah, Okla. to take on the Northeastern State RiverHawks. Kickoff is set for 2:00 pm from Doc Wadley Stadium.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western football team stayed in 5th for the third straight week in the D2Football.com Media Poll which was released on Tuesday afternoon.

The Griffons are 4-0 for the third time under Partridge after defeating Fort Hays State University 21-3 last Saturday in Hays, Kan.

This week the Griffons return home where they are 3-0 this season to take on the University of Central Oklahoma in the Wendy’s Hall of Fame Game. Kickoff is set for 6:00 pm from Spratt Stadium.

The last time the Griffons played UCO was on August 31, 2006 in Edmond, Okla. MWSU won that game 32-29 in double overtime.

You can listen to the game on the Griffon Sports Network (680 KFEQ & 1360 KMRN).

Click here to view the entire D2football.com poll.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western Griffons stayed in 7th in the latest AFCA top 25 Division II coaches poll which was released on Monday.

Missouri Western returns home to take on MIAA newcomer Central Oklahoma in the Wendy’s Hall of Fame Game on Saturday, September 29. Kickoff is set for 6:00 pm from Spratt Stadium.

Coach Partridge is 2-0 against the Bronchos with the last game against UCO coming on August 31, 2006 in Edmond, Okla. The Griffons won 32-29 in overtime.

The Griffons are coming of 21-3 road victory against Fort Hays State University last Saturday in Hays, Kan. MWSU is 4-0 overall and 3-0 in MIAA play.

The Griffons have been ranked in the top 25 in the last 12 polls and have received votes in 30 of the last 34 coaches polls.

Under Partridge this is the fifth time the Griffons have been ranked in the top-10 and second time that MWSU has started 4-0 (2009, 2010).

Click here to view the entire AFCA Top 25 poll.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Michael Hill ran through Fort Hays and in turn, ran right into the record books.

The senior running back became Missouri Western’s all-time rushing leader and carries leader Saturday as the Griffons defeated Fort Hays 21-3 at Lewis Field Stadium.

Hill finished with 26 carries for 198 yards to pace 7th-ranked MWSU (4-0, 3-0 MIAA) to its first road win of the season.  He became the program’s all-time leading rusher with a 19-yard run in the second quarter, surpassing Tony Williams’ record of 3,396  Hill surpassed Thomas Hodges’ career carries mark (693)  with a 56 yard run to begin the third quarter.

Junior quarterback Travis Partridge celebrated his 22nd birthday by going 13-24 for 163 yards and two touchdowns with one interception through the air, and rushing for 23 yards and adding a score on the ground.

The Missouri Western defense held Hays to 270 yards of offense.

The Griffons jumped out to a 14-3 lead midway through the second quarter, but a series of miscues prevented them from pulling away.  MWSU committed two turnovers to end the half.  The struggles continued in the third quarter after the Tigers stuffed Partridge on a 4th and goal attempt.  The Griffons found themselves in scoring position again minutes later, but missed a 44-yard field goal attempt.

The Griffon defense kept the Tigers at bay long enough for the Griffon offense to mount a 12 play 81 yard scoring drive in the fourth quarter, capped by Partridge’s quarterback sneak from one yard out to give the Griffs a 21-3 lead.

Fort Hays falls to 0-4 on the season, while the Griffons felt relieved to escape their first road game of the season with their first road win of the season.

“I”ve had a root-canal once and this game reminded me of that,” quipped Head Coach Jerry Partridge.  “I got it done and I was better for it, but it was real painful throughout the whole process.”

Hill has sped up the process of becoming Missouri Western’s all-time rushing king.  He has now rushed for 737 yards through four games, upping his record career total to 3,538 career yards on 709 career carries.

“I always had (the record) in the back of my mind but I never thought I’d get to it,” he explained.  “I’m just blessed to have everybody I’ve had around me.”

“This record goes to them too.”

The Griffons return home Saturday, September 29th to take on Central Oklahoma in the Wendy’s Hall of Fame Game at 7:00 pm.  Ironically, Tony Williams, MWSU’s former rushing leader, is one of the inductees into this year’s Missouri Western Hall of Fame.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western soccer team lost a heartbreaker against rival Northwest Missouri State University in double overtime 1-0 on Friday evening. The Griffons had four shots on goal in the contest but could not get one in the back of the net falling to 3-4 overall and 1-2 in MIAA action.

The two teams played over 100 mintues scoreless soccer, but in the 104th minute of play the Bearcats Elizabeth Walde scored from 12 yards out giving Northwest Missouri State the victory. The goal marked her third of the season.

The Griffons had five shots in the game as Katie Kempf led the way with two shots and one on goal until an injury sidelined her the rest of the game. Kelly Voigts made five saves in goal falling to 3-4 on the season.

The Bearcats had 12 shots with six on goal. Kiersten Mottl had two shots with two on goal off the bench while Anna Calgaard had four shots. Northwest had five corner kicks to the Griffons one improving to 4-3-1 overall and 2-1 in MIAA play.

The Griffons return to action on Friday, September 28 with a contest against MIAA newcomer #25 Central Oklahoma. Game time is set for 7:00 pm in St. Joseph, Mo.

— MWSU Sports Information —