TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State women's soccer team is set to play its first road matches of the MIAA schedule. The team will go to Maryville, Missouri, to take on Northwest Missouri State (3-2-1) at 4 p.m. Sept. 26. The RiverHawks will then travel to St. Joseph, Missouri, to play Missouri Western (3-2-1) at noon Sept. 28.

NSU (3-2, 1-1 MIAA) is coming off a 2-0 victory over Missouri Southern State that ended a four-match homestand for the RiverHawks. Melissa Giles (2g-1a=5p) and McKenzie Musella (2g-1a=p) lead Northeastern State in scoring. Anastasia Robinson leads the RiverHawks with two assists. Sophomore goalkeeper Jordan Woodruff (3-2) owns a 1.40 goals-against average and a .806 saves percentage. She has recorded one shutout this season, which came in the last match. Since joining the MIAA, the RiverHawks own a 2-1 record over the Bearcats. NSU will also be looking for its third-straight victory over Missouri Western.

WHO ARE THE BEARCATS?
Northwest Missouri State University is located in Maryville, Missouri, and the team competes in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. Northwest Missouri (3-2-1, 0-1-1 MIAA) opened its season with victories over Northern State (2-0), MSU Moorhead (6-0) and Saint Mary (1-0). They then dropped a 2-0 decision to Bemidji State before playing out a 1-1 tie with Missouri Western. Most recently, the Bearcats lost 3-0 to Central Missouri. Northwest Missouri State has three players with two goals. They are Anna Holden (2g-1a=5p), Jessica Spradley (2g-0a=4p) and Crystal McElhose (2g-1a=5p). Elizabeth Lee and Jessica Breyfogle lead the squad with two assists each. Goalkeeper Ashley Malloy owns a 3-2-1 record to go along with a 0.98 goals-against average and a .850 saves percentage.
 
WHO ARE THE GRIFFONS?
Missouri Western State University is located in St. Joseph, Missouri, and the team competes in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. Missouri Western (3-2-1) began its season with three wins over Harding (1-0), East Central (6-0) and Bemidji State (1-0). They then lost to Augustana (2-0), tied Northwest Missouri (1-1) and most recently lost to Lindenwood (1-0). The Griffons have no multi-goal scorers, but nine players have scored once. In addition, five Griffons have one assist. Tara Russell, K.C. Ramsell and Brittany Mueller lead the team with three points each, recording both a goal and an assist. The net minder for Missouri Western is Sarah Lyle who owns a 3-2-1 record. She also has a 0.63 goals-against average and a .879 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 NEARING 100 CAREER VICTORIES
Chase Wooten is currently in his fifth season as head coach of the Northeastern State women's soccer program. His record stands NSU is 49-21-9, and his .677 winning percentage is the best in school history. His collegiate record as a head coach currently stands at 92-81-16. 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). He 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.

-GoRiverHawksGo.com-