One of the biggest matches in program history for Northwest Missouri State soccer is coming this weekend in Maryville.
The Bearcats are currently second in the MIAA standings, just two points behind the league-leader, Washburn. The Ichabods will visit Northwest Friday afternoon with a regular season conference title well within reach of both clubs.
Washburn's won the last two MIAA titles, while Northwest is still in the hunt for their first.
"Our program is treading in new waters," Bearcat head coach Marc Gordon said during the weekly Coaches Show on KXCV-KRNW. "These are some growth games for us."
Outside of Maryville, expectations for the Bearcats were middling. The conference's preseason coaches poll had Northwest at sixth of 13 teams. The Green & White responded with a 3-0 start in MIAA play and a suffocating defense. Northwest is outscoring its conference opponents 13 to four through nine games.
"We just kind of continued to exceed those expectations, and I think we're putting a little bit of pressure on ourselves. But we just need to go out there, have fun, and play the game we came here to play," sophomore Lillie Shaw said.
The program, which began in 1999, reached a team-high eight conference wins in 2021 and 2022, leading to Northwest's only NCAA Central Region Tournament appearances. The Bearcats, at 10-4 overall and 7-2 in the MIAA, have an opportunity to push past that eight-win mark and potentially host regional games as this record-setting fall continues.
"Just seeing what we've done this season, making history being in the top 25 three weeks in a row, being in the top of the table — I think it's all a driving point for us to want to succeed," senior Lily Ellis said.
Three regular season games remain for the Bearcats with all of their goals still in striking distance.
"I have all of the confidence in the world over these next three games," Gordon said. "I feel really good about where we're at and where we're going. Now it's just putting in the work in the matches."
Northwest and Washburn meet at 3pm Friday at Bearcat Pitch.
