Northwest Missouri State soccer will be anchored by all-conference talent in 2025, but the Bearcats also expect to lean on some fresh faces throughout the fall.
Northwest took to the pitch Monday morning for the first true team workout of the season with 16 returners, including First Team All-MIAA selection Ximena Arnau.
"It's really just go time," Arnau said Monday. "Really excited to play together and work together, and just excel – be the players we know how to be."
The roster also features 11 freshman and one transfer into the program as they look to build on a fourth consecutive winning season.
It didn't take long for the leaders set the tone.
"Our returners have done an exceptional job giving our new players a lot of grace and providing what team expectations are," head coach Marc Gordon said. "Just a mentality and a mindset building on our culture."
"The sooner we can get our young players playing well, the better we'll be as a whole team."
MIAA coaches picked Northwest to finish in the middle of the league once again, landing at No. 6 in the preseason rankings.
Arnau knows what the Bearcats are capable of, and she's blocking out the noise.
"I just want to be in the moment with my team," the junior from Kansas City said. "We're here to make some noise. Yes, we're a young team, but don't sleep on us. Don't forget."
"We are here to fight. We are here to battle, and we are here to leave our mark on the field."
Northwest opens the season at home September 5th against Northern State.
