Hear From Coach Lauren Robb
 
FULTON, Mo. – The 2018 William Woods University women's soccer season gets kicked off on Monday, August 20th when they host No. 18 Central Methodist University in non-conference action at Firley Field. Kick-off is set for 6 p.m.
 
About the Eagles
Central Methodist University enters the contest with the Owls as the 18th ranked team in the nation. Only two seniors graduated from the team that rolled to the regular season Heart Conference title in 2017. NAIA All-Americans Luci Brasil and Judith Sainz, along with five other Heart All-Conference honorees return to lead the Eagles, including Heart Freshman of the Year, Anika Kallash. Last year the Eagles finished the season 16-3-2. They recorded 15 shutouts on the year, the fifth most in the NAIA. CMU scored 61 goals on the season, which was 23rd most in the NAIA and were led by Sainz, who had 14.
 
Last Season vs. CMU
Last season the Owls played at Central Methodist in the Owls second game of the year on August 30th. The Eagles came away with a 3-0 over the Owls. Anika Kallash scored two goals for the Eagles and Nely Martinez scored one.
 
Playing at Firley Field
Last season, the Owls played 10 games on its home field, Firley Field. WWU went 8-1-1 at home on the season. The lone loss for the Owls was the first game of the season. WWU defeated rival Columbia College last season at Firley Field.
 
Season Openers
William Woods has had women's soccer since 1989 and the Owls are 10-17-2 in season opening contests. Last season, the Owls were defeated by Benedictine, 3-0, in its season opener. WWU tied Culver-Stockton 0-0 in double overtime in 2016. The last win in a season opener for the Owls came back on August 30th, 2008 when WWU defeated Central Methodist, 3-0. The win over CMU was the only other time the Owls have played the Eagles in the season opener.
 
New Leader of the Owls
Leading the Owls into Monday's contest is Lauren Robb. Robb was named the WWU women's soccer coach on January 18th. She became the seventh coach to lead the women's soccer program. She came to WWU from Northern Oklahoma College.  
 
AMC Preseason Coaches' Poll
The American Midwest Conference office announce the 2018 AMC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll on Monday, August 13th. The Owls were picked to finish second in the AMC. WWU was picked to finish behind rival Columbia College.
 
NAIA National Championship Appearances
The Owls ended the 2017 season in a NAIA National Championship loss to No. 3 University of Northwestern Ohio 5-0. This appearance marked the second time the Owls advanced the NAIA tournament in school history. Both appearances the Owls have made in the National Championship, they have faced Northwestern Ohio.
 
Goal Scorers
Last season, the Owls trio of Shelby Scanlan, Aurora Henriksen and Claire Stark combined to score 45 goals for the Owls. Scanlan finished third in the AMC in goals scored with 20. Henriksen and Stark followed with 13 and 12 respectfully. Henriksen was 11th and Stark was 12th in the AMC.