Aaron Tilsen named MSSU soccer coach

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern Director of AthleticsJared Bruggeman has announced that Aaron Tilsen will be the new Head Women's Soccer coach at Missouri Southern.

Tilsen comes to Southern from Minnesota State-Mankato where he was the goalkeepers coach the past two seasons.

"We are excited to welcome Aaron to the Missouri Southern family," Bruggeman said. "I would like to thank the search committee who helped find us the best candidate. His proven history and track record of working with top-notch programs will help him in putting this program where we want it both at the conference and national level."

Last season at MSU, Tilsen helped the Mavericks to a 19-3-1 record, 13-1-1 in conference play, winning the second-most matches in school history. MSU was ranked 11 of the 14 weeks, with its highest position coming in at No. 13.

Tilsen helped Alexa Rabune put her name in the record books at MSU as she moved up to No. 2 in wins (19), third in shutouts (12), seventh in saves (81) and ninth in goals against average (0.68). In her career, Rabune finished the season ranked fifth in wins (26), third in shutouts (18), seventh in saves (133), sixth in goals-against average (0.84) and seventh in save percentage (.811).

The Mavericks had three All-Region players and six All-Conference players, including six of the 11 players on the All-Tournament Team. MSU did well in the classroom, as well as the team had 19 players named to the NSIC All-Academic Team.

In 2017, the Mavericks finished third nationally in shutouts, fourth in goals against average and eighth in save percentage.

A Native of St. Paul, Minn., Tilsen has spent over 20 years coaching club soccer in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. He previously served as Director of Coaching for the Twin Cities Fire Soccer Club and brings years of experience coaching and developing players.

Tilsen has over 15 years of high school experience including, Head Coach at Robbinsdale Cooper, Spring Lake Park/St. Anthony (girls) and Forest Lake (boys), as well as being an assistant coach at St. Paul Central, Park Center and Bloomington Jefferson.

He has obtained his USSF B license, NSCAA Premier and NSCAA GK level 1 and level 2 diplomas. Tilsen graduated Cum Laude from MSU in Spring 2017 with a BS in Sports Management and a Coaching Minor.

"I want to thank Jerad Bruggeman, Cori Reid and Karesa Burr, as well as the entire search committee for believing in me and selecting me to be the head coach at Missouri Southern," Tilsen said. "I am blessed to have this tremendous opportunity and believe the school, athletics program and players are all headed in a positive direction. I also want to thank coaches Brian Bahl and Ben Jones at Minnesota State University for my three years working with the Mavericks. The experience I gained coaching for a top team in the region and nationally will help me each day to create a positive team culture and a competitive team on the field. I hope that I can make a positive impact on the team and program every day at MSSU and can't wait to get into the season."

Tilsen and his wife Lisa have a son Aidan, as well as a dog Lucy and cats Molly, Benny and Tommy.

Missouri Southern Athletic Department announces fall promotional schedule

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern Athletic Department has released the promotional schedule for the upcoming 2019 Football Season.

The Lions will play five home games this year at Fred G. Hughes Stadium under the helm of first year Head coachJeff Sims. This season's promotions include a post-game firework shows, free giveaways at every game, and a family movie night. We also invite fans to join us for a pre-game tailgate each home game. Our tailgate will offer food trucks, face painting and activities for all ages.

Kids 12 and under will be admitted for free for all home football games. The Lions will also have a bounce house and inflatable slide in the Kids Zone sponsored by Mercy all season long. We also invite all kids 12 and under to join the Cub Club also sponsored by Mercy. The Cub Club offers kids free popcorn at every home game, a special Cub Club gift and invitations to special events throughout the school year for only $15.







In addition to our promotional giveaway items we will have for each football game this year we are introducing themed concession food items as well as a new game day special for each home game! Themed items will include the Lion's Best Hot Dog, the Big Den Burger, Roary's Nacho's, the Southern Pork Sandwich, Lion Food (popcorn) and many more!

All away games will also be featured again this season at our Official Away Game Watch Party Destination, Gusano's pizza, at 3929 E 7th Street, STE E, in Joplin.

2019 Promotional Schedule

September 5th vs. Nebraska-Kearney - 6 pm

The Lions will kick-off the 2019 season as cowbells will be given out to the first 1,000 fans in attendance! Make sure to stick around for our fireworks extravaganza at the end of the game. The home opener will be sponsored by Freeman Health System and Fox 14 TV & CW and our concessions special will be the Pizza Box Nachos.

September 21st vs. Northwest Missouri State - 6 pm

Join us as the Lions take on the Bearcats and the first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a football koozie! This game will also be our Domestic Violence Awareness game supporting the Lafayette House. Fans are encouraged to stay for a post-game showing of the new movie Dumbo on the video board presented by MSSU Athletics and CAB. This contest will be sponsored by Atlas Saferooms and KSN and our concessions special will be Mac N Cheese Dog.

October 5th vs. Central Missouri State Univ. (Homecoming) - 2 pm

It's time again for the Green Out game! All fans are encouraged to wear their green to the game and the first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a green out t-shirt! Also, make sure to join us for all of the Homecoming festivities including the campus parade! This contest will also serve as our All-Class football alumni game. At halftime all previous team members in attendance will be recognized along with the 2019 Homecoming court. Our Homecoming game will be sponsored by Liberty Utilities and KODE 12 and our concessions special will be the Sausage on a Stick.

October 19th vs. Washburn State Univ. (Hall of Fame/Cub Club Game) - 4 pm

This year the Lions will induct Jon Lantz (Football 1989-97), Matt Campbell (Men's Track and Field 2003-06), Kyle Rutledge (Men's Track & Field 2003-06), and Chris Turner (Men's Track and Field/Football 2000-05) as well as the 1981-82 Women's Basketball and 1999-00 Men's Basketball Teams into the Hall of Fame. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a Lion Tumbler as they enter the stadium on game day! Our Hall of Fame Game will be sponsored by Heritage Tractor and the Joplin Globe and our concessions special will be the Polish Dog.

November 9th vs. Emporia State Univ. - 3 pm

To celebrate Senior Night and Military Appreciation Day we will be giving out Southern Football winter scarfs to the first 1,000 fans in attendance! Any current or former member of the Armed Services who shows their military ID will receive free admission to the game. The final regular season home contest will be sponsored by LaFerla Ortho and KOAM-TV 7 and our concessions special will be the Pork and Brisket Sandwich.

Ticket Pricing:
Season Tickets: $60
All Football Game Tickets: $15 each

Tickets may be purchased online at www.mssulions.com/tickets or by calling the ticket office at 417-625-9820. Group spaces and discounts are also available for groups of 10 or more and interested groups can contact the ticket office by phone or email (tickets@mssu.edu) to learn more.

Carl Junction's Ivy Walton, Jeremiah Jones, place first, second in their divisions at national archery competition

(From the Missouri Department of Conservation)

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) congratulates Ivy Walton and Jeremiah Jones, both of Carl Junction High School, for their exceptional final scores during the National Archery in the Schools (NASP)/International Bowhunters Association (IBO) Outdoor World 3D Challenge held Aug. 8-9 in Snowshoe, WV.

Missouri students participate in these archery competitions through the Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program (MoNASP), which is coordinated through MDC in partnership with numerous schools and organizations throughout the state. MoNASP is an affiliate of NASP, and promotes education, self-esteem, and physical activity for more than 200,000 Missouri students in grades 4-12 from more than 700 participating schools.

Senior Ivy Walton has dominated in her division during the past several NASP tournaments and this time was no different. Walton shot a remarkable score of 299 out of 300.

“Ivy has truly made a name for herself during her time participating in MoNASP,” said MDC MoNASP Coordinator Eric Edwards. “She’s walked away with numerous honors and scholarships and should be extremely proud of herself.”

Walton placed first in the High School Girls Division and tied for first overall. She said she has her team to thank for helping her finish this season strong.

“I feel very proud of my score,” said Walton. “But I definitely wouldn’t have done it without the support of my team and of my coach.”

Though Walton has since graduated, she’s still looking to incorporate archery into her future plans.

“I want to actually help coach,” she ventured. “I’m also interested in doing this professionally.”







Meanwhile, Carl Junction sophomore Jeremiah Jones was pushing Walton for the top spot. Jones shot an impressive score of 298 out of 300, finishing second in the High School Boys Division and second overall.

“It was awesome,” said Jones. “I’ve been waiting to have this score for a long time. I love archery because it gives me a chance to be outdoors and connect with other people.”

See more NASP/IBO Outdoor World 3D Challenge results at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZMZ.

Since NASP's beginnings in 2002, more than 10 million students have participated in the program through 10,000 schools in 47 states and 10 countries. More than 200,000 Missouri students from more than 700 schools participate in MoNASP. To learn more, visit the MDC website at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZSE.