PITTSBURG – The Pittsburg State University women's soccer team will begin MIAA play this weekend on the road against Nebraska – Kearney and Fort Hays State.
Friday (Sept. 26) the Gorillas will trek to the northwestern corner of the MIAA to Kearney, Neb., to battle against the Lopers of Nebraska – Kearney. Kickoff from Ron & Carol Cope Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m. (CT). On Sunday (Sept. 28), Pitt State will square off against Fort Hays State at 2:00 p.m. from the FHSU Soccer Stadium in Hays, Kan.
Last season, UNK and Pitt State finished in a 2-2 tie to begin the conference slate and FHSU claimed a 2-0 win in Pittsburg.
For the first time in program history, Pitt State is listed in the Top-10 of the USC (United Soccer Coaches) Division II Central Region Poll. At No. 10, the Gorillas are joined by conference foes, Central Missouri (2
nd), Missouri Western (3
rd), Northeastern State (6
th) and Northwest Missouri (9
th).
Picked to finish seventh in the MIAA Preseason Poll, the Gorillas are off to a 5-1 start. As a team Pitt State has scored 20 goals and allowed six goals, leading the MIAA with 3.33 goals a game and tied for fifth in opponent goals a game at 1.00.
Among Division II ranks as a team, the Gorillas are fifth in assists provided (19), sixth in total points (59), eighth in assists per game (3.17) and goals scored (20), 10
th in shots per game (20.00), 12
th in shots on goal per game (10.17) and 13
th in scoring offense (3.33).
Ella Cazzavillan leads the team with seven points from three goals and one assist, firing off 12 shots with seven being shots on goal.
Mia Hunt and
Sailor Jensen are the other Gorillas with three goals scored this season.
Carrie Cunningham,
Danae Hobson and
Shayla Hunt are the other members of the team with more than one goal so far this season.
Livi Jones is the team leader with two assists as 17 other Gorillas have contributed one assist this season. In goal,
Jocelyn Kramar in 464:25 minutes has a 0.58 GAA with seven saves, five wins and two shutouts.
Nebraska – Kearney enters the weekend with a 2-3 record after beating Western Colorado, 3-0 on Sunday (Sept. 21). Picked to finish eighth in the MIAA Preseason Poll, the Lopers have scored and allowed four goals on the season. Daniella Iaquinta is the team leader with two goals from nine shots and six shots on goal. Billie Forrest is the only Loper so far this season to score at least one goal and provide at least one assist. Susie Bovaird in 290:10 minutes has allowed a pair of goals for a 0.62 GAA, saving 15 shots for a .882 saving percentage with a shutout win and two losses on her record. Madelyn Schaffert in 159:50 minutes in goal has a 1.13 GAA with six saves and a shutout win.
Fort Hays State will enter the weekend with a 2-3 record, picking up wins over Southwest Minnesota State (3-0) and New Mexico Highlands (7-0) last week. Picked to finish ninth in the MIAA Preseason Poll, the Tigers have scored 12 goals this season while allowing six goals. Sydney Cotter and Chaley French are the team leaders in goals scored with both having four for the season. Cotter is also the only Tiger with more than one assist on the season, having three. Hadley Ostrander in 450 minutes in goal has a 1.20 GAA with 16 saves and both of her wins were in shutout efforts.
