#5 Central Missouri (0-0) at SWOSU (0-0)
Thursday, Sept. 1, 3:00 pm
Weatherford, Okla. (SWOSU Athletic Complex)
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Setting the Scene:
- The Bulldog Soccer team takes the field for the first time this regular season against No. 5 ranked Central Missouri
- The match is set to start at 3 pm out at the SWOSU Athletic Complex
- SWOSU last played the Jennies in 2012 when they met in the NCAA Division II Central Regional, a match won by UCM 3-0
The Coaches:
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SWOSU: Mark Persson (68-55-12; 8th season)
- Since taking over the program in 2009, Persson has amassed a 68-55-12 record,
becoming the all-time winningest coach in program history
- Persson also led the Bulldogs to back-to-back GAC Championships in 2012 and 2013
- A two time All-Conference Coach of the Year, Persson holds a 37-24-7 record in GAC play
- He has coached one All-American, 12 All-Region players, and numerous All-Conference players during his time in Weatherford
- UCM: Lewis Theobald (151-25-18; 10th season)
- Theobald enters the 2016 season as the second-winningest active coach in Division II women's soccer with an .825 winning percentage
- He has coached 11 All-Americans, 40 All-Region selections, and 75 All-Conference players
- In nine seasons as head coach, his UCM squad has finished first in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Conference standings eight times
The Opponent
- Central Missouri finished last season with a 21-2-1 record, advancing to the NCAA soccer tournament where they beat Minot State and Minnesota State-Mankato before falling to Grand Valley State on penalty kicks
- Since first playing SWOSU in 2005, UCM is 3-0 all-time against the Bulldogs
- Jennie's goalkeeper Ana Dilkes allowed only nine goals in 24 games last season with 13 shutouts
- UCM's leading goal scorer Megan Wooley returns for her junior season after scoring 13 goals last season
Bulldog Facts
- Last season, SWOSU finished third in the Great American Conference regular season standings
- After beating Ouachita Baptist in the conference tournament semifinal, the Bulldogs fell to Harding 5-3 in the championship game
- The Bulldogs were picked to finish second in the 2016 GAC preseason poll even acquiring one first-place vote
Looking Ahead
- The Bulldogs play again at home on Saturday against Southwest Baptist at 11 am
- SWOSU's first four games are at home before they hit the road against Central Oklahoma on September 11
- The first Great American Conference game is September 20 on the road against Northwestern Oklahoma State
