Another week of Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) is done and dusted, which featured some key matchups, including last season’s MVC Championship game between Western Michigan and Missouri State.
So without further ado, let’s get into it.
Missouri State finds a late equalizer against No. 11 Western Michigan:
Missouri State (5-2-1, 2-0-1) traveled to Kalamazoo on Saturday to take on No. 11 Western Michigan (6-0-4, 1-0-2).
Western Michigan got on the scoreboard early, as redshirt junior forward Roni Sylejmani netted a sixth-minute goal to put the Broncos ahead. In the final minute of the half, Missouri redshirt senior forward James Jennings earned a penalty kick, but WMU senior goalkeeper Colin Welsh made a diving save to preserve the Broncos’ lead.
Missouri State trailed until the 80’ when senior forward Jesus Barea found his tenth season goal to draw the scorelineequal.
“It was a great goal,” said head coach Michael Seabolt. “He took it well. It was well earned by the team. We created a ton of chances and had a lot of good opportunities, and I’m proud of him for taking the chance and scoring the goal.”
Barea now leads the country in total goals, shots on goal per game (3.62), and points per game (2.62). He is the first Bear to score double-digit goals in one season since 2015 when Matthew Bently scored 15.
Over the 90 minutes, Missouri State outshot Western Michigan 20 to seven, with seven shots on goal to WMU’s one.
The Bears only allowed the Broncos one shot throughout the entire second half. Also earning 10 corner kicks to WMU’sthree, the Bears dominated the match. Regardless, the Broncos were able to manage a tie, extending their unbeaten streak by another game.
“We continue to be very difficult to play against. Our 31-game unbeaten streak would back that up,” stated WMU head coach Chad Wiseman. “In three conference matchups, that’s their first point against the Broncos; they feel pretty good about themselves leaving Kalamazoo with a point.”
Belmont unable to equalize at Bowling Green:
Belmont (2-4-3, 0-2-1) traveled to Bowling Green (8-1-1, 3-0-0) on Friday, searching for their first conference victory.
Bowling Green dominated the first half, striking first with a 19-yard header by junior forward Trace Terry that found the side-netting in the 39’. In the second half, Belmont turned up the pressure, creating quality chances of their own.
The Orange and Brown’s fifth-year goalkeeper Brendan Graves denied two shots from Belmont senior midfielder AJ Chastonay, securing the win for the Falcons.
This result extended the Falcons’ unbeaten streak to six games and kept them at the top of the Missouri Valley Conference standings. Terry’s game-winner boosted the junior to No. 3 in the national rankings in total goals (nine) and No. 1 in game-winning goals (four).
Belmont ranks seventh in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) and occupies last place in total goals (nine).
Bradley’s own goal boosts Evansville to its first MVC victory:
Evansville (5-5-1, 1-2-0) and Bradley (3-6-1, 0-3-0) faced off on Saturday, with both teams hoping to find a win in MVC play.
Although Bradley outshot the Aces 13 to 10, with four shots on goal to Evansville’s one, the Aces managed a 2-0 victory. A miscommunication between the Braves’ defender and goalkeeper resulted in a 25’ own goal, setting the Aces ahead. Evansville senior forward Edward Mendy managed their only shot on goal, doubling the Aces’ lead in the 48’.
This marked Evansville’s first win in six games, and the team now occupies sixth place in the MVC. Bradley rides a five-game losing streak and comes second to last in MVC standings.
Evansville also fell to Xavier on Tuesday in a non-conference matchup, 2-0.
Four Flames score in a 4-2 triumph over NIU:
Northern Illinois (2-8-0, 0-2-0) hosted UIC (5-4-0, 1-1-0) on Saturday for a Missouri Valley Conference matchup. The first half would end 1-0 after a 20’ goal from sophomore midfielder Darrell Turcios.
The second half saw five more goals, three by the Flames and two from the Huskies, ending 4-2. All six goals came from different players, with UIC freshman midfielder Max Aquino earning the first of his career.
UIC graduate goalkeeper Oren Asher leads the MVC in saves per game (4.20), and the Flames rank fifth in the conference standings. NIU takes last place, allowing a league-high 28 goals against.
The Huskies also faced Milwaukee on Tuesday, losing 2-0.
