Sunday, August 16
Springfield, Mo.
10:30 a.m.
Missouri State University
vs
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Kansas
Women's Soccer Hosts #15 Kansas In Season Opener
August 14, 2026 | Women's Soccer
| Missouri State (0-0-0) vs #15 Kansas (0-0-0) | |
| Location | Springfield, Mo. |
| Site | Betty & Bobby Allison South Stadium |
| Game Info | Sunday, Aug. 16, 10:30 a.m. vs. #15 Kansas TV: ESPN+ ESPN+ | Live Stats |
| Missouri State | Game Notes Women's Soccer Home Page |
| Kansas | Women's Soccer Home Page |
| Promotions | Free Asmission, Post game autographs, Free snow cones |
| Follow the Bears | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook #GoBears | #WeAreMoState |
| Bears Mobile App | App Store (Apple Devices) Google Play Store (Android Devices) |
On the Pitch
- Missouri State opens its 2026 regular season Sunday against 15th ranked Kansas at 10:30 a.m. in Springfield, beginning its second season as a member of Conference USA.
- The Bears return 19 players from last season's squad that advanced to the Conference USA Championship match during Missouri State's inaugural season in the league where the team placed second overall.
- Missouri State made a run from the No. 8 seed to the 2025 CUSA Championship match, defeating top-seeded Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee by identical 2-0 scores before facing Liberty in the final.
- Three members of the 2025 CUSA All-Tournament Team return this season in Ella Becker, Jane Hansen and Ellie Neath.
- Becker returns in goal after starting all 20 matches last season. She led Conference USA with 1,687:06 goalkeeper minutes, a mark that ranked 84th nationally, while finishing third in the league with 70 saves and fourth with five shutouts.
- Neath enters her sophomore season after making an immediate impact as a freshman, scoring in both Missouri State's CUSA quarterfinal and semifinal victories during the Bears' run to the championship match.
- Missouri State was selected second in the 2026 Conference USA Preseason Coaches' Poll with 62 points, finishing behind defending champion Liberty.
- Head coach Kirk Nelson enters his fifth season leading the Bears. Missouri State has posted a 44-23-14 overall record and a 25-5-8 conference record over the previous four seasons.
- Defense has been a consistent strength during Nelson's tenure, with Missouri State recording 41 shutouts over the last four seasons.
- The Bears welcome 10 newcomers to the 2026 roster, including five transfers and five freshmen.
- Missouri State has reached the conference tournament championship match three times in the last four seasons, winning Missouri Valley Conference titles in 2022 and 2024 before advancing to the CUSA final in 2025.
- Hansen returns as a key piece in the Missouri State midfield after logging 1,689 minutes and starting all 20 matches during her sophomore campaign.
- Kayla Smith provides experience on the back line after starting all 20 matches and playing 1,542 minutes in 2025.
- Maggie O'Keefe returns to the Missouri State attack after recording three goals and one assist for seven points last season, including one game-winning goal.
- Adam Nerio joins Missouri State's coaching staff for the 2026 season, adding a new face to Nelson's staff.
#WeAreMoState
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Players Mentioned
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