Campbell Powers Soccer to Perfect Weekend

Damian Macias had one word to describe Kaili Campbell’s performance.

“Brilliant.”

The technically first-year head coach watched on as Campbell scored three goals in 10:12, carrying the no. 23 ranked Griffon Soccer team to a 4–1 win over Rockhurst on Sunday to cap off a perfect opening week.

After a scoreless opening half that saw the Griffons come out strong before fading, it was a misplay by goalkeeper Anna Mayer that led to the opening goal for the Hawks. This proved to be a wake-up call for Western, as they got going two minutes later, with Campbell finishing off a cross from Tina Palmieri.

Just moments later, the Griffons were threatening again, and it was Lilian Davis getting the pass from 30 yards out and lifting a shot over the Rockhurst keeper for the lead. From there it was all Campbell, who scored off her rebound, and then capped off a hat-trick with a strike into the left side netting.

While the four-goal burst was impressive, it wasn’t too surprising to Macias.

“We’re definitely capable of it,” Macias said. “The question is, ‘how often can you bring that out?’ Individually, player for player, we have it across the board as a team.”

That last point has absolutely been proven. The two wins had different faces taking the lead. Friday night’s 2–1 win over Concordia-St. Paul was all about the newcomers. In particular, the three-headed monster of Eszter Toth, Jaden Skinner and Evelyn Daly, all from CSU-Bakersfield, was the difference.

Much like Sunday, the Griffons trailed 1–0, before Daly found the net from 30 yards out in the 28th minute. The game was even for a while, before Kelsey Burkey sent a through-ball into Skinner, who played the ball off the bounce over the goalkeeper’s head for a 2–1 lead.

Despite not playing for nearly two years, the three showed incredible chemistry with themselves and the rest of the Griffons.

“I live with my two best friends from Bakersfield,” Skinner said. “It was a very easy transition. Our teammates are amazing… they welcomed us with open arms.”

“The girls here are amazing,” Daly added. “Really integrated us into the team. It feels like we’ve been here for years.”

In an odd tidbit, since last year’s stats weren’t counted, Friday night’s win was Macias’ first official win at Missouri Western.

“It’s a good feeling,” Macias said. “We want to start off with a good performance.”