Springfield Standard

Missouri State University Lady Bears soccer team will begin their 2025 season with an away match against the University of Kansas on August 14 at Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence, Kansas. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff and marks the first meeting between the two programs since 2014, when Missouri State lost a close contest, 2–1.

The Bears hold an all-time record of 13-15-1 in season openers. Under current head coach Kirk Nelson, they have recorded one win, one loss, and one draw in opening matches. Over the last three seasons, Missouri State has split its games against Big 12 opponents, securing a notable victory over Oklahoma State in August 2023.

This year’s schedule features several challenging non-conference games. A rematch with Iowa is set for September 7 at home; Iowa was Missouri State's opponent in the opening round of last season’s NCAA Tournament. Other home fixtures include matches against Kansas City on August 21 and Missouri on August 31. Key Conference USA contests are scheduled throughout October.

Individual honors from last season include Julia Kristensen being named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year after leading the team with eight goals and setting a program record with thirteen assists. She scored the decisive goal in the MVC Tournament final against Drake and finished among national leaders in total assists and assists per game according to NCAA statistics.

Jane Hansen received MVC Freshman of the Year recognition after logging significant minutes as a starter in sixteen matches. Maddi Schneiderhahn started twenty games and earned All-MVC Third Team honors for her performance on defense.

The coaching staff was awarded MVC Coaching Staff of the Year following Missouri State’s first-ever regular-season title in conference history. The team completed a two-year unbeaten streak in MVC play, spanning twenty matches since their last conference loss on October 23, 2022.