Springfield Standard

Missouri State University's women's soccer team is set to conclude a two-game road stretch with a match against the SEMO Redhawks on August 28 at Houck Field in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The Bears currently hold a record of 1-2-1, while SEMO enters the game at 0-3-0.

The Bears have recent success against SEMO, having won their last encounter at home on September 25, 2022, by a score of 2-0. Their previous visit to Cape Girardeau ended in a 1-0 victory for Missouri State on September 19, 2021.

Missouri State has shown early competitiveness this season. The team drew with Nebraska and secured a win over SIUE with a score of 4-2. Abby Hansen leads the Bears offensively with six points from two goals and two assists and has maintained a perfect shooting percentage so far this season.

Goalkeeper Ella Becker has made 15 saves this year. Victoria Spahn contributed significantly in the match against SIUE by saving two consecutive penalty kicks to help secure the team's win.

The team's schedule features several challenging non-conference games, including an upcoming home rematch against Iowa on September 7. Iowa was Missouri State's opponent in the opening round of last season's NCAA Tournament.

In recent years, Conference USA has seen different champions each season: Rice in 2022, New Mexico in 2023, and FIU in 2024.

Julia Kristensen received recognition as Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year in 2024 after leading her team with eight goals and thirteen assists—a single-season program record—and ranking second nationally for total assists according to NCAA statistics. "Kristensen scored the MVC Tournament-clinching goal vs. Drake, and finished the season as one of the nation's premier playmakers, ranking tied for second in total assists and fourth in assists per game according to NCAA statistics."

Jane Hansen was named MVC Freshman of the Year after playing every game last season and starting sixteen times. Maddie Schneiderhahn earned All-MVC Third Team honors for her consistent performance on defense across twenty-one appearances.

The coaching staff was recognized as MVC Coaching Staff of the Year following Missouri State’s first-ever regular-season title and completion of a two-year unbeaten streak in conference play. "The coaching staff was named MVC Coaching Staff of the Year, as the Bears claimed their first-ever MVC regular-season title, finishing as the No. 1 seed and completing a two-year unbeaten streak in MVC play (20 matches; last loss: Oct. 23, 2022, vs. Illinois State)."