By: Nick McCutcheon
It was a reward for a senior class recruited to a program with little to sell, only the potential of being a foundational class for a successful turnaround.
Eight seniors led the Griffons to a 17-5 overall record, the most wins in program history. This was the program’s first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II Central Region Championships after the senior class signed onto a team that had won just two games in 2013.
Head coach Chad Edwards is proud of the dedication and hardwork that the team has put in to this 2017 season.
“The most special part about the season to me was seeing our senior group go out on such a high note,” Edwards said. “They committed to us when it wasn’t as easy to believe in the program. They saw success throughout their whole careers – what we thought was really good success – but then to have that landmark type of season was really special for me and the team.”
More than 30 individual and team records fell as the team finished second to eventual national champion Central Missouri in both the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association regular and postseasons.
A program-best, 10 Griffons were named All-MIAA and three – Madeline Cowell, Bridget Blessie and Cassidy Menke – were named to both the United Soccer Coaches and Division II Conference Commissioners Association All-Region teams.
The 2017 season was the pinnacle for one class, but also the foundation of a promising future for the program.
