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TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State women's soccer team is set to open MIAA competition against rival University of Central Oklahoma at 7 p.m. Sept. 19 at DeLoache Field. NSU will then host Missouri Southern State at 1 p.m. Sept. 21.

The RiverHawks (2-1) are coming off a pair of 2-1 victories over East Central and Ouachita Baptist. After losing 3-1 on the road at Northwestern Oklahoma State to begin the season, NSU is looking to close out its four game homestand with a pair of conference-opening triumphs. Melissa Giles (2g-1a=5p) leads Northeastern State in scoring. In 2013, the RiverHawks earned their first victory over Central Oklahoma since 1999, which snapped a 0-13-1 winless streak against their rivals. Northeastern State is 2-1 over the past three seasons against Missouri Southern State.

WHO ARE THE BRONCHOS?
The University of Central Oklahoma is located in Edmond, Oklahoma, and the team competes in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. UCO (3-1) lost its season opener to Minnesota State-Mankato (3-0), but rebounded with victories over Oklahoma Christian (5-0), Southwestern Oklahoma State (3-1) and Upper Iowa (1-0). Gabi Bochus (2g-0a=4p) is Central Oklahoma's only multi-goal scorer, while seven other Bronchos have scored. Lexi Carroll (1g-2a=4p) and Kimberly Linder (0g-2a=3p) lead the squad with two assists each. Goalkeeping duties have been split for UCO. Brandi Bartley owns a 2-0 record and has a .40 goals-against average and a .917 saves percentage. Elle Stover has a 1-1 record, while putting up a 2.00 GAA and a .750 S%.
 
WHO ARE THE LIONS?
Missouri Southern State University is located in Joplin, Missouri, and the team competes in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. Missouri Southern State (2-1-1) lost its season opener to Drury (2-0). The team followed that up with victories over Missouri S&T (3-2) and Rogers State (5-0). In their last outing, the Lions tied East Central 3-3 in double overtime. Casey Vitale (3g-0a=6p) and Hannah Bomar (3g-3a=9p) pace the Lions with three goals each. Bomar also leads the team with three assists. The net minder for Missouri Southern State is Beth Hammons who owns a 2-1-1 record. She also has a 1.66 goals-against average and a .731 saves percentage.
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE PICKED 4TH IN PRESEASON MIAA POLL
Northeastern State was picked to finish fourth in the 2014 MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll. The RiverHawks finished the 2013 season in second place in the conference, and the team advanced to the MIAA Championship quarterfinals. The 15 wins broke the school record, and the .789 winning percentage was also the best in school history. Northeastern State returns six starters this season. The RiverHawks collected 91 points in the poll and were picked to finish behind Central Missouri who earned 11 first-place votes (121 total), Southwest Baptist (100) and Central Oklahoma who received one first-place vote (98 total). Washburn (72) rounded out the top five.
 
WOOTEN COACHING IN HIS FIFTH YEAR AT THE HELM
Chase Wooten is currently in his fifth season as head coach of the Northeastern State women's soccer program. He has a career record of 46-19-9, and his .682 winning percentage is the best in school history. Wooten has taken the program to new heights since arriving at NSU. He has led the RiverHawks to the four best defensive seasons in school history, including a 2013 team that conceded a program-best 14 goals. The 2010 team allowed just 17 goals, while the other two top defensive units in school history were also under Wooten's watch (2011-12). Wooten has guided Northeastern State to winning seasons in each of his first four years with the program. The previous best prior to Wooten taking over was just two consecutive winning campaigns. The 2013 team broke the school record for most wins (15) and best win percentage (.789) in a single season, while tying the all-time mark for fewest losses in a single campaign (4). The squad boasted four first-team all-region performers and the MIAA Goalkeeper of the Year in Jordan Woodruff.