This Week in Truman Athletics

Week 1
Game Coverages

Sept. 2-8
FOOTBALL
0-0 Overall, 0-0 Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC)
Truman State welcomes the University of Findlay (Ohio) to Stokes Stadium to start its 2024 season and first campaign under Interim Head Coach Kellen Nesbitt. With a No. 2 ranking in the GLVC preseason coaches' poll, the Bulldogs return 14 starters from one year ago - including eight on a defense that paced the conference with 275 yards surrendered per game - in the hopes of improving upon the 9-2 mark from 2023.
The 'Dogs defeated the Oilers, 20-10, in the first matchup between the two schools one year ago. Findlay got on the board with a nine-play, 75 yard drive to wind down the first quarter on its home turf, but the Truman State defense locked down things after that and only surrendered a field goal the rest of the way. Sophomore Mason Huskey scored on a 66-yard pass a mere minute into the second half to break the 10-10 tie and provide all the additional scoring Truman State would need in the first victory of a six-game winning streak to start the 2023 season.

VOLLEYBALL
0-0 Overall, 0-0 GLVC
With only four juniors or seniors on the roster, a young Truman State team takes to the road to open play in 2024 at the Maverick Invite in Mankato, Minneota, with matches against the University of Wisconsin - Parkside; host Minnesota State University, Mankato; Minnesota State University, Moorhead; and Northern Michigan University.
Head Coach David Gannon helmed the Bulldogs to a 12-16 overall record in 2023 with a 2-11 mark in GLVC action. Returning junior outside hitter Jessica Proszenyak, senior setter Emma Bairl, and sophomore setter Tori Creason return among the statistical leaders from one year ago.

MEN'S SOCCER
0-0 Overall, 0-0 GLVC
St. Cloud State. (Minnesota) University travels to Kirksville, Mo., for an evening tilt against Truman State to debut for the season. 
One year ago, the Bulldogs picked up a 2-1 win at St. Cloud State to even their early season record at 1-1. Daniel Riazi opened scoring with a goal at the 38 minute mark off an assist from Jon Buss with Luke Payne providing the go-ahead goal off an assist from Sam Newton. Justin Olwig notched five saves to pick up the win.
Head Coach Duke Cochran, now in his 20th season coaching the 'Dogs, will attempt to guide them back to postseason play for the third consecutive season. Truman State was picked 8th in the 2024 GLVC preseason coaches' poll following a 6-6-4 2023 season.

WOMEN'S SOCCER
0-0 Overall, 0-0 GLVC
The Bulldog women's soccer team, with four consecutive home matches to open the fall campaign, plays host to both the University of Davenport (Mich.) and Saginaw Valley State (Wis.) University at Stokes Stadium on Friday and Sunday, respectively. GLVC coaches picked Truman State at 9th in the preseason poll following a 4-8-5 overall, 3-6-3 conference record from one year ago.
Truman State opened its 2023 season at with consecutive shutout losses to Saginaw Valley State and Davenport. The first victory of the season would remain elusive until the fifth game against Graceland (Iowa) University, which saw the Purple & White win by a 2-0 final.
Head Coach Mike Cannon, now in his 32nd season as taskmaster, fields a roster heavy with experience from a combined 15 juniors and seniors. Top scorers returning include seniors Emma Thompson (three goals, three assists) and Olivia Morris (two goals, three assists), with senior keeper Tatumn Damron, she of seven shutouts and 101 saves, minding the net.

CROSS COUNTRY
Both the Men's and Women's Cross Country teams will head to the University of Illinois Springfield for its 9th Annual Prairie Stars Invitational. The event will give Bulldog runners their first glimpse of the course scheduled to host the 2024 GLVC Championships on October 26.
The women's team garnered a first place vote in the GLVC preseason coaches' poll and topped out in the No. 4 spot among conference teams while the men were picked to finish 8th.