Springfield Standard

Missouri State University senior Fumiya Shiraishi has been named the American Conference Offensive Player of the Week, according to an announcement from the league on Monday. The recognition follows Shiraishi’s performance in Missouri State’s 4-1 home opening win over Seattle on August 21, where he scored all four goals for his team.

Shiraishi currently leads the nation in goals scored during the first week of the season. His four-goal achievement ties a school record, a feat that has only been matched four times previously by Missouri State players: Tim Abeln and Ken Robinson against Baptist Bible College in 1981, Matt Caution against Missouri Southern in 1993, and Chris Deal against Evansville in 2004. Additionally, Shiraishi is noted as the first Division I player since 2023 to score four goals in a single game.

The No. 24 ranked Bears are scheduled to play their next match on Monday, August 25 at 7:30 p.m., facing off against No. 18 Kansas City Roos. This matchup serves as a rematch of last season’s NCAA Championships Second Round game, which Kansas City won with a narrow 2-1 victory in Springfield.

"Fumiya Shiraishi has been named the American Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the league announced Monday. This comes after he scored four stunning goals in MSU's 4-1 home opening win against Seattle on August 21. Shiraishi leads the nation in goals scored through the first week of the season." (American Conference)

"By scoring four goals, the forward from Japan tied a school record. The feat of scoring four goals in a single game has only been accomplished four times prior by a Bear: Tim Abeln vs. Baptist Bible College in 1981, Ken Robinson vs. Baptist Bible College in 1981, Matt Caution vs. Missouri Southern in 1993, and Chris Deal vs. Evansville in 2004. Shiraishi also became the first Division I player since 2023 to score four goals in a game." (American Conference)

"The No. 24 Missouri State Bears' next match is against the No. 18 Kansas City Roos on the road on Monday, Aug. 25 at 7:30 p.m. This is a rematch of last season's NCAA Championships Second Round bout where the Roos emerged the victors in a tight 2-1 decision in Springfield." (American Conference)