PITTSBURG – The Pittsburg State University women's soccer team will begin conference action this weekend at home against the Newman University Jets and the 18^th ranked Washburn University Ichabods.
 
Kickoff from the Gorilla Soccer Pitch on Friday (Sept. 18) against NU is set for 10:00 a.m. (CT). Sunday (Sept. 20), Pittsburg State will engage in a top-20 matchup against WU at 1:00 p.m., at the Gorilla Soccer Pitch.
 
Ranked 12^th in the United Soccer Coaches Division II Poll (Sept. 15), the Gorillas are off to a 6-0 start to the season, scoring 19 goals (3.17) and allowing 0 (0.00). Among Division II ranks so far the Gorillas are second for goal differential (+19), third for assists (20), eighth for goals scored (19) and are one of six schools yet to give up a goal this season.
 
Ryann Caruth leads the team with four goals and one assist for nine points, firing off eight shots with six being on goal for a .750 SOG% and .500 SH%. Avianna Gonzalez and Danae Hobson lead the team with three assists each with the duo also scoring twice so far this season for seven points. Carrie Cunningham and Mia Hunt have both scored and provided two goals for six points so far this season. Sammie Edwards (1 G, 2 A), Abby Hoffman (1 G, 1 A), Makenna Herrick (1 G), Piper Hughes (1 G), Shayla Hunt (1G), Macy Malik (1 G) and Kaiao Zoller (1 G) round out the goalscorers. Sarah Peyton Webb (3 A), Ella Cazzavillan (1 A), Rose Harden (1 A) and Livi Jones (1 A) are the other members of the team to provide an assist so far this season.
 
In goal, Jocelyn Kramar in 463:04 minutes has a 0.00 GAA with 12 saves, accounting for three shutouts and being part of three combined shutouts. Sabrina Schilt in 76:56 minutes has a 0.00 GAA with a hand in three combined shutouts.
 
Newman University Jets
Newman enters the week with a 0-4-2 overall record, last season the Jets finished 2-14-2 overall and 1-10-1 in the MIAA to be picked to finish this season in 13^th in the MIAA Preseason Poll.
 
In the short series history between the two teams, Pittsburg State has claimed a 3-0 win in 2024 and 3-1 victory last season.
 
Aleksah Moreno leads the team with a pair of goals and one assist, with both of her shots so far this season finding the back of the net. Allison Hernandez is the other goal scorer for NU so far this season with a team-high 11 shots and five shots on goal. Lexi Bauer and Emma Kolbe are the other members of the team to provide an assist this season.
 
Emerson Wedel got the start in goal last time out for NU, this season in 135 minutes of action she has a 3.33 GAA with 11 saves. Emma Lintecum had started every game leading up to the match against Colorado State University – Pueblo, this season in 315 minutes she has a 1.43 GAA with 28 saves.
 
Washburn University Ichabods
Washburn will begin the weekend with a 4-0-1 overall record with the lone tie of the season coming against preseason No. 9 Missouri – St. Louis (Aug. 29) in a 1-1 final at home. Since then the Ichabods have claimed wins over Drury (3-0), Ouachita Baptist (2-0) and Harding (2-0).
 
Picked to claim the MIAA regular season after going 14-4-6 overall, 8-0-4 in MIAA action last season, the Ichabods advanced all the way to the NCAA Division II Final Four after falling in the MIAA Tournament quarterfinals.
 
In the short history of the series between the two programs, Pittsburg State is 0-2-0 against the Ichabods. In 2024, WU claimed a 3-0 win in Topeka and last season a 2-0 victory in Pittsburg for the only league defeat the Gorillas suffered.
 
Leah Henke is tied for the MIAA lead for goals (5) while being third in the league for shots (19). Mackinly Rohn (2 G, 1 A), Bricelyn Betts (1 G, 2 A), Sam Searcey (1 G, 1 A), Avery McCorry (1 G), Haley Thomsen (1G), Brynn Allison (1 A) and Chloe Kolm (1 A) have also contributed to goals so far this season.
 
In goal, the MIAA Goalkeeper of the Week, Lili Everley in 432:50 minutes of action has a 0.21 GAA with one goal allowed and 15 saves.