The UCO Bronchos stay undefeated with a 3-0 win over the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats.

The Bronchos started off with an early goal in the 10th minute scored by Asha Haile which was assisted by Katie Killion. The game was a defensive struggle for most of the rest of the game, until the final 5 minutes where the Bronchos scored 2 goals. The first was another goal by Asha Haile assisted by Haley Post in the 85th minute and the final goal was scored by Camrie Hurst unassisted.

The Bearcats were able to put 6 shots on goal and goalkeeper Alexis Serna Castillo had 9 saves on the game. The Bearcats play again Sunday Oct. 21 at 12:30 p.m. against Northeastern State for Senior day.

— Northwest Athletics —

After securing a monumental road victory and pulling to within one game of first place in the MIAA standings, the Northwest Missouri State University volleyball squad is having two players honored as the league’s players of the week.

Senior outside hitter Maddy Bruder (Firth, Nebraska) earned MIAA hitter of the week honors, while sophomore setter Maddy Ahrens (Appleton, Wisconsin) was named the MIAA specialist of the week. It’s the second straight week that Ahrens has tallied the MIAA specialist of the week status.

Bruder posted two double-doubles and led Northwest to pair of 3-0 road wins including a victory over No. 9-ranked and previously undefeated Washburn. Bruder averaged 4.17 kills and 6.17 digs in the two sweeps. Bruder had 10 kills and a season-high 22 digs in a 3-0 win at Emporia State. Bruder came back with 15 kills and 15 digs with two block assists in Northwest’s first road win over Washburn since Oct. 6, 1999. Bruder has recorded five straight double-doubles and leads the Bearcats with 13 double-doubles this season. Bruder leads the MIAA in kills per set (4.26 – MIAA only; 4.20 – all matches).

Ahrens directed the Bearcats to road wins over Emporia State and No. 9-ranked Washburn. Ahrens averaged 13.00 assists and 3.83 digs as Northwest played only six sets in two victories. Ahrens dished out 40 assists and added 10 digs with three service aces and three kills in a 3-0 win against Emporia State. Ahrens came back on Saturday night and produced another double-double with 38 assists and 13 digs in a 3-0 sweep of previously undefeated Washburn. Ahrens added a kill and a service ace against the Ichabods. Ahrens has 10 double-doubles, including six in MIAA play this season. Ahrens leads the MIAA in assists (11.35 – all matches; 12.55 – MIAA matches).

Northwest (17-5 overall, 9-2 MIAA) will play a trio of road matches this week beginning Tuesday at Missouri Western at 7 p.m., followed by a match Friday at Lindenwood (6 p.m.) and a match Saturday at Central Missouri (3 p.m.).

— Northwest Athletics —

Northwest defeated Southwest Baptist 3-2 in Bolivar, Missouri Sunday. The game was tied at 1 at halftime and Northwest was able to win the second half 2-1 to secure their first conference victory.

Northwest got on the board first with Emily Madden’s first goal of the day less than 2 minutes in off an assist from Natasha Samudzi. Southwest got on the board next with a goal from Maya Cofield in the 25th minute. Madden’s next goal came less than 2 minutes into the second half off an assist from Alex Mausbach. Southwest Baptist scored their second goal on a penalty kick by Raquel Rodriguez in the 50th minute. Madden scored her third and the go-ahead goal, in the 85th minute on a penalty kick.

Madden’s hat trick is the seventh in school history and ties the school record for goals in a game.

Northwest will play their next game Friday at 3 p.m. on Bearcat Pitch.

— Northwest Athletics —

MARYVILLE, Missouri – The Northwest Missouri State University football team celebrated a happy Homecoming with a 27-13 triumph over the University of Nebraska-Kearney Lopers at Bearcat Stadium Saturday.

Northwest improved to 6-1 overall and took over sole possession of first place in the MIAA standings, while Nebraska-Kearney fell to 4-3 overall.

Northwest jumped out all over Nebraska-Kearney with 21 points in the first quarter. Marqus Andrews caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from Braden Wright less than three minutes into the game. Northwest upped the lead to 14-0 on a 1-yard run by Wright on a 4th-and-goal with 6:36 left in the quarter.

The Bearcats put the finishing touches on a 21-0 lead when they reached into their bag of tricks. Wide receiver LaTroy Harper took a backwards pass from Wright and threw a 67-yard touchdown pass to Brody McMahon with 2:01 left in the first quarter. Northwest racked up 252 yards of total offense in the opening 15 minutes. Northwest had eight first downs in the first quarter while limiting UNK to one first down and 18 total yards.

Nebraska-Kearney snapped one of the more interesting streaks in college football in the second quarter when the Lopers scored a rushing touchdown against the Northwest defense. It marked the first time in 19 games that Northwest had allowed a rushing score when UNK quarterback Alex McGinnis scored on a 3-yard keeper around the left side. The extra point hit the upright to cut the Northwest lead to 21-6 with 4:31 left in the half. Northwest had not given up a rushing touchdown since Dec. 10, 2016, when Ferris State scored in an NCAA Div. II playoff semifinal.

UNK pulled to within one score at 21-13 when McGinnis scored on a 5-yard rushing touchdown on a 4th-and-goal with 10:36 left in in the game.

UNK attempted an onside on the ensuing kickoff, but the Bearcats recovered and turned the short field into a scoring opportunity. The Bearcat drive stalled inside the 5-yard line after a 24-yard scramble by Wright. Placekicker Parker Sampson booted a 21-yard field goal to up the lead to 24-13 with 7:15 left in the game.

A Trent Nally interception ended UNK’s next possession and resulted in another score for the Bearcats. Sampson drilled a 39-yard field goal to complete the scoring and give Northwest a 27-13 advantage.

Nally nabbed his second interception with 2:35 left in the game, this time it came inside the Bearcat 20-yard line and effectively sealed the triumph for the Bearcats.

Northwest’s Jack Richards was recognized following the game as the Don Black Award winner. Richards posted a team-high 12 tackles. The Don Black Award is given to the MVP of the Homecoming game.

Northwest will be in action next Saturday at Lindenwood. Kick is set for 1 p.m. in St. Charles, Missouri.

NOTES: Marqus Andrews caught his second career touchdown pass in the first quarter on a 26-yard strike from Braden Wright – his previous touchdown reception came against Northeastern State on Oct. 15, 2016 … Wright has rushed for a team-best seven rushing touchdowns this season … UNK had 15 first downs, while Northwest has 12 first downs … Josh Caldwell led Northwest in rushing with 61 yards on 15 carries … Wright passed for 177 yards on 13-of-26 passing … Cody Massey tallied four receptions for 68 yards, while Shawn Bane Jr. had four receptions for 56 yards, including a 50-yard catch … Brody McMahon had one catch for 67 yards and a touchdown … Ben Althoff recorded Northwest’s only sack of the game.

— Northwest Athletics —

TOPEKA, Kansas – The Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team took care of previously undefeated No. 9 Washburn, 3-0. The Bearcats won by set scores of 25-20, 25-23, 25-20.

Northwest knocked off its second ranked foe of the season in the three-game sweep of Washburn in front of 1,185 fans in Lee Arena. Earlier this season, the Bearcats knocked off No. 9-ranked Central Missouri on Sept. 15 in Bearcat Arena.

The Bearcats moved to 17-5 overall and 9-3 in MIAA play, while Washburn dropped to 22-1 overall and 10-1 in league play.

The victory also snapped a string of 18 straight losses in Topeka for the Bearcats against the Ichabods. Prior to tonight’s win, Northwest’s last win against Washburn in Topeka came on Oct. 6, 1999. It’s the first time in the series that Northwest has won a 3-0 match at Washburn.

Sophomore Hallie Sidney secured a double-double with 18 digs and 13 kills (.237). Senior Maddy Bruder tallied her fifth straight double-double with 15 digs and 15 kills (.267). Sophomore Maddy Ahrens also procured a double-double with 38 assists and 13 digs.

Northwest will remain on the road next weekend with a trio of MIAA matches beginning Tuesday at Missouri Western (7 p.m.). Northwest will also travel to Lindenwood (Fri., 6 p.m.) and at Central Missouri (Sat., 3 p.m.).

— Northwest Athletics —

EMPORIA, Kansas – The Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team posted a 3-0 win at Emporia State on Friday. The Bearcats won by set scores of 25-17, 25-17, 25-11.

Northwest (16-5 overall, 8-2 MIAA) hit .369 as a team and recorded a sideout percentage of 78 percent in the three-set victory. Emporia State (10-13 overall, 4-6 MIAA) was limited to a .140 hitting percentage.

Bearcat sophomore Hallie Sidney continued her torrid play by posting a match-high 15 kills (.406 hitting percentage). Northwest senior Maddy Bruder registered her fourth straight double-double with 22 digs and 10 kills against the Hornets. Sophomore Maddy Ahrens notched her ninth double-double on the season with 40 assists and 10 digs.

Northwest hit .382 in the opening set and was led by Bruder’s five kills.

Northwest hit .364 in the second set with 15 kills and three errors. Sidney had five kills in the second stanza.

The Bearcats closed it out in the third by earning sideouts in all 12 opportunities. Sidney had six kills and no errors, while Bruder added 11 digs in the final set.

The Bearcats will be in action at 6 p.m Saturday at Washburn (22-0 overall, 10-0 MIAA).

NOTES: Maddy Bruder has a team-best 12 double-doubles this season … Northwest is 15-0 in three-set matches … the Bearcats have won seven of their eight MIAA matches in three sets.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Missouri Southern University Lions defeated the Bearcats 2-0 in Joplin, Missouri Friday. The Bearcats were tied at 0 at halftime, before allowing the Lions’ two goals in the second half.

Both goals for the Lions were scored by Bailey Belcher. The first was scored in the 65th minute and was unassisted. The second was scored in the 84th minute and was assisted by Alex McCord and Julia Liberty.

The Lions moved to 8-4-2 on the year and the Bearcats fell to 1-12. The Bearcats play again Sunday against Southwest Baptist at 2 p.m. in Bolivar.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Fort Hays State Tigers defeated the Northwest Missouri State women’s soccer team in Hays Sunday 3-0.

The game was tied 0-0 at halftime and the Tigers rallied to score three goals in the second half.

The first goal was scored was scored by Darby Hirsch assisted by Zariah Smith in the 50th minute. The other two goals were both scored by Macy Decker. The first was assisted by Olympia Katsouridis in the 72nd minute and the second was assisted by Zariah Smith in the 82nd minute.

The Bearcats next game will be in Joplin, Missouri at Missouri Southern Fri., Oct. 12 at 6 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —

PITTSBURG, Kansas – The Northwest Missouri State football squad went on the road Saturday and tallied a 31-7 victory over previously undefeated Pittsburg State, 31-7.

The Bearcats scored 21 points in the second quarter to take control of the contest and led 28-0 at the break.

Isaiah Strayhorn rushed for 147 yards and a score, while Braden Wright passed for 211 yards and two touchdowns for the Bearcats. Northwest outgained Pitt State, 452-268.

Strayhorn got the Bearcats on the board in the first quarter on a 1-yard run with 8:35 on the clock. Wright kept the drive alive with a six-yard scamper on 3rd-and-6 at the Pitt State 29-yard line. Parker Sampson tacked on the extra point to give Northwest the 7-0 lead.

Strayhorn ripped of a 67-yard run on Northwest’s next possession that began at its own 3-yard line. But Wright was picked off by Pitt State’s Jaylon Myers at the Gorilla 32-yard line to stamp out the Bearcat drive. Northwest’s special teams came up big with a blocked punt Zach Pierce. However, Northwest could not convert on the scoring chance when Sampson missed a 38-yard field goal wide right.

The second quarter scoring onslaught began with a four-yard scoring strike from Wright to Chase White with 12:57 left in the half. Northwest made it 21-0 when Wright hooked up with freshman LaTroy Harper on a 13-yard touchdown pass with 4:51 left in the second quarter. The key play in the drive came on a 43-yard passing play to senior wideout Shawn Bane Jr. Northwest’s third touchdown of the quarter came on a 23-yard rushing score from sophomore Alec Tatum on a fake field goal attempt with 0:34 left in the half. Tatum, the holder on field goals and extra points, took the snap and ran over the right side to the end zone to give Northwest a 28-0 lead at the break.

The first half saw the Bearcats outgain the Gorillas, 364-102. Northwest had 14 first downs to only five for the Gorillas in the opening 30 minutes. Pitt State was 1-of-8 on third-down conversions in the first half.

Sampson added a 38-yard field goal with 6:56 left in the fourth quarter to extend the Northwest lead to 31-0.

The Gorillas scored their only points of the contest on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Matt Harman to Elijah Harris with 0:48 left in the game.

Northwest improves to 5-1 on the year, while Pitt State falls to 5-1 overall.

The Bearcats will be back in action Saturday for its annual Homecoming game at 2 p.m. Northwest will take on the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers at Bearcat Stadium.

NOTES: Northwest moves into a tie for first place in the MIAA standings … senior wide receiver Shawn Bane became the eighth Bearcat to reach 3,000 career receiving yards … Bane caught four passes for 95 yards … Northwest senior punter Matt Thorman had six punts for a 44.3 average and a long of 57 … he had two punts downed inside the 20-yard line … Anthony Lane led the Bearcats in tackles with eight … J’Ravian Anderson collected a game-high three pass breakups.

— Northwest Athletics —

MARYVILLE, Missouri – The Northwest Missouri State Bearcat volleyball squad bounced back Saturday with a 3-0 sweep of the Pittsburg State Gorillas in Bearcat Arena. Northwest won by set scores of 25-18, 30-28, 25-23.

Northwest improves to 15-5 overall and 7-2 in MIAA. Pittsburg State falls to 15-7 overall and 4-5 in MIAA play.

Bearcat senior Maddy Bruder led the way with her 11th double-double of the season with 13 kills and 11 digs. Sophomore Maddy Ahrens notched her third straight double-double and eighth of the season with 37 assists and 11 digs. Sophomore Morgan Lewis recorded a season-high 10 kills and hit .318 in the victory.

In the opening set, Northwest used a 5-0 spurt to take a commanding 18-11 lead en route to a 25-18 win. The Bearcats hit .462 in the first set with 14 kills and two attack errors.

Pittsburg State came back from a 13-9 deficit in the second set to knot it at 16-16. The Gorillas had three set-point opportunities at 24-23, 25-24 and 26-25, but each time the Bearcats evened it up. Northwest eventually took the set on its third chance at set point on an attack error by PSU’s Lauren Dunn. Northwest took the second set, 30-28. Bruder came up with seven kills in the set.

Northwest closed out the sweep with a 25-23 triumph in the third. The third set featured seven ties and two lead changes. The last tie came at 21-21 before Northwest scored three straight points. Lewis led the third-set attack with five kills.

Northwest will travel to Emporia State on Friday (6 p.m.) and to Washburn on Saturday (6 p.m.).

— Northwest Athletics —