Bearcat soccer blanked by Griffons
HENRY JANSSEN/DAILY FORUM
Northwest freshman Peri Rainey breaks away from Missouri Western’s Megan Maenner (23) and Kaitlyn Unland during the Bearcats’ 1-0 loss to the Griffons Friday.
The Bearcat women’s soccer team fell to a 2-2 record on the season Friday, losing 1-0 to MIAA opponent Missouri Western in a non-conference matchup in St. Joseph. Western improved to 4-1.
The only goal of the afternoon came in the early second half, when Western defender Sarah Blakely beat Northwest goalkeeper Ashley Malloy. The 48th- minute goal was one of four shots on goal for the Griffons on seven total shots. The Bearcats outshot Western by two attempts, and matched Western’s four shots on goal.
Northwest head coach Tracy Hoza had positive things to say about her side’s performance after the loss, and was encouraged by the grit her ladies exhibited.
“I like that we kept trying, and that we wanted to play soccer and play the ball around,” Hoza said. “We had some chances, a great header by Rachel [Roshek] but the keeper had great reactions.”
Hoza, coaching her 13th season with the Bearcats, said that play in the midfield was a pivotal factor in the result of Friday’s loss.
“We need to take a little bit better care with the distribution of the ball,” she said. “We want it to go up and over into the defense so that their backs are turned, and just be a little more careful with those, and we’ll work on those. Our midfielders challenged, they went up for head balls, it was a very physical game in the midfield. They won the physical side of it, I’d say.”
Senior captain midfielder Cassie Phillips said that the transition from the different thirds of the field proved large in the loss.
“We’re trying to work on defense-to-mid and mid-to-forward play instead of defense-to-forward,” Phillips said. “I think we play a key role trying to move, trying to check to the ball. We’re always on the move for sure. Very physical team, it’s always been physical between Northwest and Mo West, and they’re very technically good.”
The Bearcats had more opportunities on corner kicks, taking four. The Griffons only attempted one. Phillips said that set pieces weighed heavily on the pace of Friday’s game.
“We’re pretty strong on corners, we always get a head on it,” she said. “It’s usually in the keeper’s hands, we just can’t finish on that. On our free kicks, Annie [Poelzl] takes great free kicks. In our 50, Ashley Malloy takes them, she’s got a good boot on her, and we come to the ball. We’re going to get it one of these days.”
Missouri Western coach Chad Edwards said he did not feel like his team won the battle of physicality in his side’s victory.
“They were really good in the air, and they beat us to a lot of 50-50 balls,” Edwards said. “Give them credit. They were physical, it was one of those grind-it-out kind of games. It wasn’t pretty soccer, but we’ll take it. Give Northwest a lot of credit, they really made it tough for us over the course of 90 minutes. They were pushing at it, our goalkeeper made a massive save. It’s one of those games that you look back on and you’re glad you won. They were just as good as us today.”
Although the game did not count toward MIAA standings, Edwards looked at the matchup as a good conference preview.
“It’s going to be tough. Our league will be very good. Northwest is picked to finish last in our league, and they’re far from last. It’s a good soccer team and I think they’ll do really well this year. The league will be as good as it’s ever been.”
The Bearcats will play again Sunday at University of Central Missouri at 1 p.m.
HENRY JANSSEN/DAILY FORUM
Northwest senior Cassie Phillips looks for an open teammate during the Bearcats’ Friday contest against Missouri Western. The Griffons walked away with a 1-0 victory
