KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Missouri Southern goalkeeper Bella Smith was named the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Goalkeeper of the Week, the league announced Tuesday.

Smith was outstanding in goal during Missouri Southern's two-match MIAA road swing, posting back-to-back shutouts as the Lions finished the week 1-0-1. Smith played all 180 minutes in goal and stopped all eight shots she faced, finishing the week with a 1.000 save percentage, a 1-0-1 record and a 0.00 goals-against average.

Smith opened the week with a five-save performance at Nebraska Kearney, turning aside all five shots on goal she faced to preserve a 0-0 draw on the road. She followed that performance with another shutout at Fort Hays State, making three saves as the Lions secured a 2-0 victory. Smith's eight total saves came on eight shots on goal, giving her a perfect save percentage across the two matches.

With two shutouts this weekend, Smith now has 11 in her career at MSSU, which ranks third all-time.

The weekly honor is the first of Smith's 2026 season and the first MIAA Weekly honor in her career as a Lion.

MIAA Soccer Athlete of the Week Award Winners:

Offensive AOTW: Coryn Jespersen, Central Missouri
Defender of the Week: Kaitlyn Cotton, Central Oklahoma
Goalkeeper of the Week: Bella Smith, Missouri Southern

NEXT: Missouri Southern soccer will next compete on the road Friday, Oct. 2, against Northwest Missouri State at 3 p.m. in Maryville, Missouri.

Fall Missouri Southern Tickets are currently on sale online. Fans can also purchase an MIAA Network subscription to support Missouri Southern Athletics and catch all the Lions action this 2026-27 season.