KENOSHA, Wis. — The Parkside women's soccer team will conclude a challenging non-conference slate this week with two matches. Parkside opens the week on the road Wednesday against the University of Missouri-St. Louis before returning home Friday afternoon to face Concordia University-St. Paul.
Parkside enters the week 2-0-0 following a pair of convincing victories over Winona State and Lewis University. The Rangers scored eight goals across the two matches, marking the first time they have scored at least eight goals over a two-match stretch since September 2014, when Parkside scored four against Charleston (WV) and seven against Missouri S&T. That 2014 squad went on to win the GLVC and advance to the third round of the NCAA Division II Tournament.
The Rangers have shared the wealth offensively, with four different players scoring goals and eight players recording at least one point. Mary Leininger's collegiate career has gotten off to a nearly flawless start. The Germantown, Wisconsin, native scored three goals over Parkside's opening two matches, including two game-winners, earning GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Kate Brown and Ava Rizzitano also recorded multi-goal opening weeks, with Brown adding two assists and Rizzitano contributing one.
SCOUTING UMSL:
The University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) opened the season 0-1-1 last week. The Tritons, ranked No. 9 nationally in the preseason, fell 5-0 to Pittsburg State before earning a 1-1 draw against Washburn. Both contests were played on the road.
UMSL is coming off a 2025 campaign in which it finished 15-5-2 overall, won the GLVC championship and advanced to the NCAA Division II Quarterfinals, where the Tritons fell to Washburn 3-2.
The Tritons return 22 players from last year's roster, including Second Team All-American Taylor Martin, who was also named the GLVC Defensive Player of the Year. UMSL also brings back Josie Maddox, the team's leading scorer from a season ago after tallying six goals and five assists.
Wednesday's matchup will be the first meeting between Parkside and UMSL since the Rangers departed the GLVC for the GLIAC following the 2017 season.
SCOUTING CONCORDIA-ST. PAUL:
Concordia University-St. Paul has played just one match so far this season, earning a 1-1 draw against Ferris State on Saturday. Selected second in the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll, the Golden Bears return a key core from a team that finished second in the NSIC last season with a 12-3-5 overall record.
Forward Sophia Haase returns after leading Concordia with 10 goals last season, including six game-winners. She also became the first student-athlete in program history to earn CSC Academic All-America honors in consecutive seasons. Goalkeeper Sydney Potter also returns after earning All-Region honors in 2025 and being named the NSIC Goalkeeper of the Year in 2024. Brooke Nelson is back as well after starting all 20 matches during her freshman campaign and earning First Team All-NSIC honors.
Friday will mark Concordia's first trip to Kenosha since 2022. Parkside and Concordia met last season in St. Paul, where the Golden Bears earned a 4-0 victory over the Rangers.
To keep up with the Rangers this week, be sure to visit parksiderangers.com/coverage.
