WC Missouri News

No. 17 Central Missouri Jennies Soccer will play two top-ranked opponents in Allendale, Michigan, this weekend. The team is scheduled to face No. 12 Ashland Eagles on Friday, September 12 at GVSU Soccer Field and then take on No. 4 Grand Valley State Lakers on Sunday, September 14 at the same venue.

Central Missouri began its season with a tie against Augustana (S.D.) and a loss to Minnesota State, bringing their record to 0-1-1. Forward Mikayla Ernst leads the team with six shots and two shots on goal. Midfielder Hazel Douglas-Trotman has three shots, all on target. Defenders Mackenzie Smith and Laney Reishus have played nearly every minute so far, while goalkeeper Kristen Wright has recorded five saves and one shutout.

The Jennies are averaging 10.5 shots per game while limiting opponents to eight shots per game. They hold a 19-5 advantage in corner kicks over their first two matches.

Central Missouri was selected as the preseason favorite in the MIAA Coaches' Poll for the 2025 season, receiving four first-place votes and totaling 132 points.

Since the start of the 2016 season, Central Missouri has compiled an 89-7-2 home record at South Recreation Complex, allowing just 66 goals during that period. Under head coach Lewis Theobald, who is now in his eighteenth year leading the program, UCM is 164-17-9 at home and has finished undefeated at home five times.

The Jennies added ten newcomers for the current season: eight freshmen from high school and two transfers—goalkeeper Hannah McFarlane from Pacific and defender Acacia Weis from Lamar University.

Friday's match will be the first meeting between Central Missouri and Ashland Eagles in women's soccer. Sunday's contest against Grand Valley State marks their tenth matchup since 2014; Grand Valley State leads the series with six wins to Central Missouri's one.

Head coach Lewis Theobald holds an overall record of 308-52-28 across his tenure at Central Missouri. He is described as having "transformed the Jennies Soccer program into one of the premier programs not only in the MIAA but also in NCAA Division II." According to Central Missouri Athletics: "Theobald enters the 2025 season as the winningest active coach in Division II women's soccer with an .833 winning percentage, among coaches with at least five years on the sidelines." He led Central Missouri to its first National Championship in women’s soccer during the 2017 season.

He has coached numerous award-winning players including All-Americans such as Ashleigh Martin and Andree Orcutt; National Player of the Year Ana Dilkes; and multiple All-Conference honorees like Melanie Hall and Alyssa Rhodes.

Looking ahead, Central Missouri will host Ouachita Baptist on Friday, September 19, followed by Harding on Sunday, September 21 for their home-opening matches at South Recreation Complex.