Lewis Theobald Head Women's Soccer Coach | University of Central Missouri Athletics
Lewis Theobald Head Women's Soccer Coach | University of Central Missouri Athletics
Ninth-ranked Central Missouri Jennies Soccer will continue its Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) schedule with two road matches this weekend. The Jennies, who have a 7-2-3 overall record and are 4-0-2 in conference play, will face Central Oklahoma on Friday, October 17, in Edmond, Oklahoma, followed by a match against Newman on Sunday, October 19, in Wichita, Kansas.
Central Missouri is coming off a successful week, having defeated then No. 24-ranked Northwest Missouri State 2-1 on October 10 and securing a 1-0 shutout against Missouri Western on October 12. Forward Mikayla Ernst leads the team and the MIAA in goals with 11 and points with 27, ranking third and second nationally in those categories, respectively. Other key contributors include Izzy Joyce, Patsy O'Brien, and Coryn Jespersen.
Goalkeeper Kristen Wright has recorded five shutouts this season, conceding just seven goals in over 1,000 minutes of play and maintaining a goals-against average of 0.60. As a team, the Jennies are averaging 2.33 goals and 13.9 shots per game while limiting opponents to 0.58 goals and 9.8 shots per game.
Mikayla Ernst recently made program history by becoming the third player to score four goals in a single match for Central Missouri during the team's 7-2 win over Harding on September 21. She joins Jada Scott and Sarah Bourn in this achievement.
Central Missouri was selected as the top team in the MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll for the 2025 season, earning four first-place votes and 132 points overall. The Jennies are currently ranked No. 9 in the United Soccer Coaches Division II Top 25 Poll released on October 7.
At their home field, the South Recreation Complex, the Jennies have an impressive record since the 2016 season, winning 94 games, losing seven, and drawing three. Under head coach Lewis Theobald, the team has achieved a home record of 169-17-10 at the complex and an overall program home record of 233-38-11.
Central Missouri holds an 18-7-4 all-time series lead over Central Oklahoma and has won all five previous meetings against Newman, including a 7-0 victory last season.
Mackenzie Smith was named the MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week for her performance during the week of October 13-19, highlighted by her first goal of the season in the win over Northwest Missouri State and contributing to two conference victories.
The Jennies have added ten newcomers to their roster this season, including eight freshmen and two transfer students from Pacific and Lamar University.
Head coach Lewis Theobald is in his 18th year with Central Missouri and has established the program as one of the top in NCAA Division II women's soccer. He holds a career record of 315-53-30 and led the Jennies to their first national championship in 2017. "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 is also the all-time D-II leader among coaches with at least 10 years and is fifth all-time in all NCAA Divisions." Throughout his tenure, he has coached numerous All-Americans and All-Conference players and has received multiple coaching honors.
Looking ahead, Central Missouri will travel to face Washburn on October 24 and Emporia State on October 26 for more conference matches.