OCT BRANDON ZENNER Editor in Chief | @brandonzenner With the mid-way point to the Bearcats soccer season nearing, the chance to capture a signature win is on the horizon for Northwest. Northwest (4-3-1, 1-2-1 MIAA) leaves the comforts of Bearcat Pitch for only the second time since Sept. 9, for a matchup with Southwest Bap- tist (7-1, 4-0 MIAA) in Bolivar today. Southwest Baptist holds an active six- game winning streak and is second in MIAA rankings, while Northwest is ranked seventh. Southwest Baptist provides a tough task for the Northwest defense, bringing in one of the top offenses in the nation at 2.71 goals per game. The offense is led by juniors Karla and Kate Jamison, who have scored seven and five goals respectively. “Having players with the skill like Kate and Karla is great and they bring a lot to the team,” said South- west Baptist head coach Rob Podeyn. “They’re focused, really involved, work hard and are just great kids to have on our team.” Karla Jamison is one of the top scorers in the nation, and has benefit- ed from the passing ability of sopho- more Elin Hammer - who is tied for sixth in the nation with six assists. Northwest lost its only matchup with Southwest Baptist in 2013, 2-0, allowing two assists to Hammer in the process. The teams have one com- mon opponent in Central Oklahoma. Southwest Baptist defeated Central Oklahoma 4-1 Sept. 21, while North- west lost 1-0 just seven days later. “They’re a pretty disciplined team, they’re a good soccer team and they’re pretty physical,” Northwest head coach Tracy Hoza said. “I think if we can get them out of their rhythm and how they like to play. We can compete if we can close them down in certain areas.” Northwest will travel 100 miles southeast from Bolivar to face Mis- souri Southern (3-4-1, 1-3 MIAA) in Joplin Saturday. The Lions lost their most recent game Sept. 27 against Fort Hays 1-0. Missouri Southern is ranked ninth in MIAA rankings and has lost three of its last four matches. Much like Northwest, Missouri Southern has relied on freshmen, such as Hannah Bomar, to play key minutes early in the season. The freshman leads the Lions in points (9) with three goals and three as- sists, along with the most shots and shots on goal. One freshman who has played a key role for the Bearcats is Danielle Wolfe. In double overtime against Northeastern State Friday, Wolfe slid a shot out of reach of the keeper, giv- ing the Bearcats a 1-0 victory. Five of the six freshmen for the Bearcats have combined for 23 starts through eight games, with goal- keeper Ashley Malloy and defender Hannah Goetz starting every match. Midfielder Cassidy Holtman and Wolfe have three starts each, with midfielder Jessica Spradley starting once this season. “It’s important that they’re get- ting a lot of experience right now,” Hoza said. “It’s important that they’re getting in and making an impact.” Wolfe said the ability to plug nearly any player into the lineup makes the Bearcats a versatile team. “It’s really nice, we think, because no matter our subs, the level of our game stays the same,” Wolfe said. “She (Hoza) can count on the subs to come in and help the team rather than taking the good players out.” Northwest will kick off against Southwest Baptist at 2 p.m. Thursday in Bolivar. The Bearcats are scheduled to kickoff at 11 a.m. against Missouri Southern Saturday in Joplin. Bearcats continue tough conference stretch on road trip Freshman midfielder Danielle Wolfe shields the ball from a Central Oklahoma player Sunday. Wolfe scored the game winning goal in double overtime. BRIA CREEDEN | NW MISSOURIAN UPDATES