PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University women's soccer program is set to embark upon its inaugural season Thursday (Sept. 5) when the Gorillas travel to Rolla, Mo., to face Missouri University Science & Technology.
 
The match is set for a Noon (CDT) start at Allgood-Bailey Stadium.
 
Following Thurday's program-opening match, Pitt State will travel to Alva, Okla., to battle Northwestern Oklahoma State University at Noon Sunday (Sept. 8).
 
First-year head coach Wes Branstetter will field a 37-member roster, comprised of 22 freshmen, five sophomores, six juniors and four seniors/graduate students. The Gorillas were picked 11^th in the 2024 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Preseason Coaches Poll.
   
Several Gorillas are expected to be key contributors to the squad this season, including: Hanna Carlisle, Avianna Gonzalez, Danae Hobson, Madison Monson and McKenna Robinson.
 
Carlisle is a graduate transfer defender from Utah Tech University (formerly Dixie State University). She appeared in 17 career games for the Trailblazers. Gonzalez, a redshirt sophomore defender, competed in a pair of matches at NCAA Division I University of New Mexico last season, after redshirting in 2022. Hobson, a sophomore forward, appeared in six matches at NCAA Division I University of North Texas last season, picking up one assist. Monson is a graduate transfer midfielder from Utah Tech. She appeared in 36 matches over three seasons. Robinson is a senior forward who appeared in 61 career games at Division I St. Bonaventure University over four years, finishing with seven assists and three goals.
 
Missouri S&T posted a 6-8-3 overall record in 2023, including a 5-7-1 mark in Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) play.
 
The Miners are headlined by goalkeeper Anastasia Barcom, forward Ava Hoenes, forward/midfielder Haylee Prime and defender Allison Cole. Last season, Barcom (5-7-0) last season finished with a 1.31 goals allowed average (GAA) with 16 goals allowed, 55 saves (.775 save %) and two shutouts. Hoenes leads all returners with two goals last season for four points, 18 shots and seven shots on goal (SOG) with a game winning goal. Prime provided two assists last season to lead all returners and Cole played in 1,445 minutes to pace the returners.
 
NWOSU posted a 2-8-8 overall record in 2023 with a 1-4-6 mark in Great American Conference (GAC) action.
 
The Rangers are led by the quartet of midfielder Lily Anderson, forward Isabella McMillan, defender Taylor Songster and goalkeeper Rachel Brown. Anderson led the team last season with eight points from three goals and two assists with 18 shots, 11 SOG (.611 SOG%). McMillan scored four goals last season with 52 shots, 32 SOG (.615 SOG%) and one game-winning goal to lead the team. Brown (1-4-4) finished the season with a 1.33 GAA from 12 goals allowed in 810 minutes while saving 48 shots (.800 Save%) and had a shutout. Songster led all returners with 1,313 minutes of play last season.