PITTSBURG - The Pittsburg State University women's soccer team is set to travel to Edmond, Okla., and Warrensburg, Mo., for pivotal matches against the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos and the University of Central Missouri Jennies this weekend.

Pittsburg State will begin the weekend with UCO on Friday (Oct. 31) at the Tom Thompson Field at 4:00 p.m. (CT). Sunday (Nov. 2), the Gorillas will face off against UCM at the South Recreation Complex at 1:00 p.m.

Last week, the Gorillas picked up shutout victories over Missouri Western (2-0, Oct. 24) and No. 23 Northwest Missouri (1-0, Oct. 26). For their efforts in back-to-back shutout performances at home, Livi Jones was named the MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week and Jocelyn Kramar picked up Goalkeeper of the Week honors.

Listed in Poll 8 of the USC (United Soccer Coaches) Division II Central Region Poll (Oct. 28), Pittsburg State moved up to sixth in the region. The Gorillas entered the Poll on Week 3 (Sept. 23) at No. 10, staying at that spot for Sept. 30, Oct. 14 and Oct. 21. PSU moved up to No. 8 for the Oct. 7 (Poll 5) release to mark the previous program best ranking in the region poll. Listed alongside the Gorillas in the Poll 8 edition from the MIAA were Washburn (2nd), Central Missouri (3rd), Missouri Western (5th) and Northwest Missouri (7th).
  
Picked to finish seventh in the MIAA Preseason Poll, the Gorillas are 11-2-2 overall and 6-1-2 in the MIAA, ranking fourth in the MIAA standings with 20 points. As a team the Gorillas, have scored 32 goals (2.13) and allowed opponents to score 10 (0.67). Among MIAA ranks, the scoring offense is first in the league and fourth in opponents goals per game.
 
Among Division II ranks Pittsburg State is ninth in corner kicks per game (6.80), 11th in shots per game (18.93), 21st in shots on goal per game (8.53), 26th in assists (28), 29th in assists per game (1.87), 36th in goals scored (32), 41st in GAA (0.667) and 45th in scoring offense (2.13).

Kramar in 1274:25 minutes has allowed seven goals for a 0.49 GAA (20th in DII, 1st in MIAA) with 29 saves, eight shutouts (12th in DII, 2nd in MIAA) and an 11-2-2 record. Ella Cazzavillan leads the team with 11 points from four goals and three assists, the freshman forward from Huntsville, Ala. has a pair of game winning goals as well. Carrie Cunningham, Danae Hobson and Sailor Jensen are the other Gorillas with four goals scored this season. Cousins, Mia Hunt and Shayla Hunt have both scored three goals. Jones, Dylann Ehegartner, Hailey Green and Annie Payne are the other members of the team to score more than one goal this season. Abby Hoffman is the leader for assists provided this season with four, Cazzavillan (3), Cunningham (2), M. Hunt (2), Jones (2) and Ann Boehnlein (2) round out the other members of the team to provide multiple assists this season.

Central Oklahoma enters the week with a 7-4-5 overall record, going 5-2-3 in the MIAA for 18 points to sit right behind the Gorillas in fifth. Picked to finish second in the preseason MIAA Poll, the Bronchos this season at home are 2-1-3 with wins over Southwestern Oklahoma (1-0, Sept. 21) and Missouri Southern (4-2, Oct. 19). UCO after they play PSU will end their regular season by hosting the Newman University Jets on Wednesday (Nov. 5).

Last season, the Bronchos picked up a 1-0 win over the Gorillas in Pittsburg (Nov. 1) thanks to a Becca Tweedy 54th minute strike.

This season, UCO has scored 19 goals (1.19) while allowing opponents to score 14 (0.88). Among MIAA ranks the scoring offense of the Bronchos ranks ninth and opponents goals per game ranks sixth.

Avery Bass in 1418:16 minutes has allowed 13 goals for a 0.82 GAA, with 61 saves and nine shutouts while holding a 7-4-5 record. Rebekah George leads the team with nine points from two goals and a team-high five assists provided. Jordan Tanges is the top goal scorer for the team with four goals as a subsititue. Caleah Carter (3), George (2), Jane Lockhart (2) and Evelyn Sydnes (2) are the other members of the team to score more than once this season. Carter (2) and Lauren Piper (2) are the other Bronchos to provide more than one assist this season. 

No. 18 Central Missouri will begin the weekend with a 9-3-4 overall record, 6-1-3 in the MIAA for 21 points and is tied with Northwest Missouri for second in the league standings. Picked to win the MIAA crown, the Jennies are 5-0-1 at home this season with the lone tie coming against Nebraska - Kearney (Oct. 5) in a scoreless affair. UCM begins the weekend against Missouri Southern on Oct. 31 and ends its regular season against PSU.

Last season, UCM picked up a 2-1 win over Pitt State in Pittsburg (Nov. 3). Andree Orcutt in the 38th minute gave the Jennies a lead going into the half before Avianna Gonzalez in the 52nd minute equalizied for the Gorillas, Izzy Joyce in the 59th minute picked up the game winning goal for UCM.

This season, the Jennies have scored 32 goals (2.00) and allowed opponents to score eight (0.50). Among MIAA ranks, UCM is the best in the conference for fewest opponent goals per game allowed and is third in scoring offense.

Mikayla Ernst leads the team and MIAA with 27 points from 11 goals with five assists to lead the Jennies and rank tied for second in the league standings. Patsy O'Brien (4), Joyce (3), Coryn Jespersen (3), Ryann Clark (3), Alexandra Hofbauer (2). Maryn Clement (2) and Hazel Douglas-Trotman (2) round out those on the team with multiple goals scored this season. Joyce (4), O'Brien (3), Jespersen (3), Hofbauer (3), Aspen Patterson (3), Kate Ricker (3) and Clement (2) are the other Jennies this season with more than one assist provided. In goal, Kristen Wright in 1402:33 minutes has allowed eight goals for a 0.51 GAA with 55 saves and been a part in all 10 shutouts for the team while holding a 9-3-4 record.