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News Brief

July 27, 2020MARYVILLE, Mo.

New-look Bearcat Pitch nears completion

Bearcat soccer head coach Marc Gordon looking over the new artificial surface at Bearcat Pitch as construction winds down.

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When Marc Gordon took over as the head coach of Northwest Missouri State University soccer in December of 2017, he set his sights on lifting the program into contention with the best the MIAA has to offer.

The Bearcats have made strides in Gordon's first two years at the helm, including a run to the conference tournament for the first time since 2012. Now the team on the rise will see improvements under their feet as well.

Installation of the new AstroTurf brand artificial playing surface is nearly complete. The turf is down, and construction crews are brushing the infill into the playing field's carpet.

"We're excited to get on it and continue to grow the program," Gordon said. "I think this is a significant step and a great commitment from the university on behalf of the program. I'm just very excited to be able to be here and continue to grow it."

Built-in drainage systems will allow the field to take heavy rains, but be ready for action right away – a significant improvement over the previous natural surface that struggled with large amounts of rain.

The new surface also gives Bearcat soccer the required field dimensions to be able to host NCAA tournament matches.

"That adds to the things we need to accomplish – goal setting." Gordon said. "Those are definitely goals for the team in the future. It would be an amazing step for the program if we earn that opportunity to host."

The first match of the season for Northwest is October 2 at home against Washburn.

Full audio from the interview with Marc Gordon is available above.