The Griffon News

Still relatively new to the scene, the Missouri Western Griffons soccer team will enter into its fourth year of existence this fall. The Griffons reached a new plateau in 2007 by winning four games; that set a new single season record. Adding depth to their roster, the soccer team welcomes the addition of five new players to help continue the success for the 2008 season.
On February 11, 2008, Head Coach Hansen announced the signing of five players that will join the 2008 soccer line-up. Those players are: Joyce Endicott, from St. Louis, Mo., Brooke English, from Wichita, Kan., Audrey Henderson, from Liberty, Mo., Jeanna Ross, from Columbia, Mo. and Molly Slattery, from Elkhorn, Neb.

Joyce Endicott is a 5’6” goalkeeper who attended Lutheran South High School. Joyce was named Honorable Mention All-Conference in 2006. Her club team was consistently ranked in the top ten in the state of Missouri. Joyce played two years at Notre Dame High School in St. Louis and posted a 1.065 GAA in her two years there. She played club ball for Brian Reinhardt and JB Marine.

Brooke English is a 5’3” midfielder hailing from Kapaun Mount Carmel High School in Wichita. There she was a member of the Kansas ODP team from 2002-2006. Brooke also attended Regional ODP camp in 2006. Her team was High School City League and Regional Champions 2005, 2006 and 2007. Brooke led her team to a third place finish at the state tournament in 2005 and 2007. She was awarded All-City Honors in 2007. Brooke played club ball with the Wichita Strikers.

Audrey Henderson is a 5’6” midfielder who got the soccer experience at Liberty High School. Audrey led her team to the state sectionals in 2006 and 2007. She led the team to a state quarterfinal appear ance in 2007. Audrey was named Honorable Mention All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-District in 2005, 2006 and 2007. She played club ball for the Kansas Rush.

Jeanna Ross is a 5’4” midfielder from Rock Bridge High School. There she was named Honorable Mention All-Conference in 2006. Jeanna was Second Team All-District in 2007. She also played with the Avalon Soccer Club.

Molly Slattery is a 5’6” freshman who comes to us from Elkhorn High School in Nebraska. She led her team to the state tournament in 2005, 2006 and 2007. She won the Nebraska State Championship in 2007. Molly was named Honorable Mention All-Conference in 2007. Molly also won club soccer Nebraska State Championship in 2006 and was runner-up in 2007.

The new additions bring optimism to the team and the 2008 season. Sophomore Megan McIlhon is excited about the recruits and the season.

“They’re going to be real good for our team. I feel like we have a better opportunity now than we ever had before. This is going to be the season for us; we’re going to make a big difference.”

So be on the lookout for this year’s Missouri Western soccer team. They have a plethora of new talent with something to prove. This season will be one to watch, as new records will surely be broken.