Springfield Standard

Missouri State University's women's soccer team will compete in its first Conference USA Championship as the No. 8 seed, facing top-seeded Western Kentucky University on Sunday, November 2 at Osborne Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia. The match is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. Central Time.

The Bears secured their place in the tournament on the final day of the regular season with a record of 5-8-4 overall and 2-3-3 in conference play. If Missouri State wins Sunday's quarterfinal match, they will advance to face either Middle Tennessee or Florida International University in Tuesday's semifinal round.

Three Missouri State players received all-conference honors for their performances during the 2025 season. Julia Kristensen was named to the First Team All-Conference USA, while Abby Hansen and Maddie Schneiderhahn were selected for the Second Team.

This appearance marks Missouri State's 23rd all-time conference tournament participation and its first since joining Conference USA. Historically, the Bears have a combined record of 15 wins, 21 losses, and 11 draws in conference tournaments, with four championships (2000, 2017, 2022, and 2024) and four NCAA Tournament appearances. While competing in the Missouri Valley Conference previously, they achieved a record of 92-66-31 and won four MVC Tournament titles.

The team has shown strength away from home this season with a road record of five wins, two losses, and three draws—placing them tied for 23rd nationally for road victories.

A notable streak ended earlier this year when Missouri State lost to Western Kentucky on October 12; it was their first league defeat after a run of 24 unbeaten matches spanning nearly three years across both conferences.

Goalkeeper Ella Becker has started every game this season for Missouri State. She has played over fourteen hundred minutes—the fourth most among goalkeepers in Conference USA—and ranks third with four shutouts. Becker is also fifth in total saves (59), maintaining a .711 save percentage and allowing an average of just over one-and-a-half goals per game.

Offensively, Julia Kristensen leads her team with thirteen points from five goals and three assists. She tops the squad for shots taken (35) and shots on target (17). Kristensen holds Missouri State’s single-season assist record (13 set last year), ranks third all-time at the university both for career assists (21) and total points (49).

Reilly Heman follows closely behind with eleven points from four goals and three assists; Abby Hansen also tallied eleven points through three goals—including leading her team with five assists—and remains perfect on penalty kicks this season.

Missouri State averages just over one goal per game while limiting opponents’ shooting accuracy to under fifteen percent. They have been narrowly outshot by opponents but continue to create offensive opportunities as evidenced by their seventy-two corner kicks so far this year.