SHAWNEE – An absolute test, two in fact, are on the horizon for Oklahoma Baptist this week. The Bison will venture nearly 2,400 miles over the next few days to play Minnesota State-Mankato and Cedarville (OH), two NCAA Tournament qualifiers from last year.
OBU plays the Mavericks on Aug. 31 at 3 p.m. before playing the Yellow Jackets on Sept. 2 at 11 a.m. MSU posted a 14-2-6 record last season while CU notched a 17-4-1 mark. Each squad also made it into the second round of the NCAA Championship.
Bison Quick Notes
- The Bison were picked to finish in third in the Great American Conference Coaches Poll.
- Last year's 7-9-4 record marked the first time since 2015 that OBU didn't finish above .500.
- Of note, during OBU's three scrimmages in the last 10 days, four freshmen, Lex Williamson, Ryann Caruth, Hali White and Anna Branham were a part of the initial starting 11.
- Another newcomer, junior Avril Baccam, is a player to keep an eye on. A transfer from Dordt University in Iowa, she scored 40 goals the last two seasons.
- Health will be paramount for OBU, especially at the goalie position. Senior Mia Pendleton, an All-GAC performer in 2021, is the only keeper on the roster. In case of emergency, sophomore Krissy Fulton or junior Michaela White would fill in.
Mankato Quick Notes
- Have posted 24 straight winning seasons since 1998.
- Were named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference preseason favorite.
- Slotted No. 21 in the United Soccer Coaches Division II Pre-Season Poll.
- Most recently played the Bison in the 2021 NCAA Tournament and won 3-0.
- Graduated midfielder Jenny Vetter left MSU ranked third in school history with 57 goals. She also scored the most game-winning goals ever (24).
- Goalie Mackenzie Rath headlines the returners for the Mavericks. She has 30 career wins, fourth-most in MSU history, and 170 saves. That latter mark ranks her seventh.
- The Mavericks' top returning offensive player statistically is Maille Mathis. She had nine goals, six assists, 24 points and two game-winning goals in 2022.
Cedarville Quick Notes
- Under eighth-year head coach Jonathan Meade, CU has posted six straight winning seasons, a 73-33-7 record and made the last two NCAA Tournaments.
- The team's 17 victories last season were a school record.
- CU was ranked No. 23 in the United Soccer Coaches Pre-Season Poll released in August. It's the first time they have appeared in the poll.
- Mary Kate Wyer and Olivia Hoffman, the Yellow Jackets' top two point-scorers from last season graduated. They each tallied nine goals and combined for 40 points.
- Junior goalie Brooke Ackley returns. Her current career goals against average of 0.68 is best in Cedarville history. She also ranks tied for third in CU history with 16 shutouts.
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