Matchweek number four for the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) is upon us. As we near the halfway point in conference play, let’s preview the key matchups this week for all the teams in The Valley.
Game of the Weekend: No. 11 Western Michigan at Drake
No. 11 Western Michigan (7-0-4, 1-0-2) travels to play Drake (6-3-1, 2-0-0) on Saturday at 3 PM EDT. Drake and Western Michigan enter the match undefeated in Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) play and occupy third and fourth place in the standings, respectively.
The Broncos are coming off a 7-0 dismantling of Olivet, boasting a 32-game unbeaten streak. Redshirt sophomore midfielder Connor Burkett opened the scoring only seven seconds into the first half—the fastest goal scored in Bronco history.
Three assists by graduate midfielder Owen Smith propelled him to first in the nation in total assists (ten) and assists per game (0.91). Western Michigan as a team ties for first in the nation in total goals (28) and takes second in goal differential (20).
While the Broncos and Bulldogs take first and third in the MVC in goals scored, with 28 and 20, the two sides are also backed up by strong goalkeeping.
Western Michigan senior goalkeeper Colin Welsh leads the MVC in goals against average (.800) and save percentage (.810). For Drake, freshman goalkeeper Tomas Butkovic leads the conference in shutouts per game (.400), with four shutouts in ten games.
Drake trails in the all-time series 0-3-0, losing 3-0 to the Broncos last fall.
UIC vs. Bowling Green:
UIC (5-4-0, 1-1-0) will host Bowling Green (8-1-1, 3-0-0) on Saturday at 8 p.m. Bowling Green, who occupies first place in the MVC, rides a six-game unbeaten streak and swept the conference awards this week.
Fifth-year goalkeeper Brendan Graves was awarded with MVC Defender of the Week honors after recording his second and third-season shutouts last week.
Junior forward Trace Terry was named MVC Offensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week, scoring three goals in their last two matches. After netting the Falcons’ lone goal in their win against Belmont, Terry is now tied for first in the country in game-winning goals (four) and fourth in total goals (nine).
UIC is coming off a 4-2 victory over conference opponent NIU and ranks fifth in the conference. UIC goalkeeper Ashen Oren has been an important player for the Flames, leading the MVC in saves per game with 4.20.
Bowling Green leads the all-time series 3-0-0, defeating UIC 3-1 last fall.
Bradley at Belmont:
Bradley (3-6-1, 0-3-0) takes on Belmont (2-5-3, 0-2-1) on Saturday at 7 p.m. Both teams are looking to snap their losing streaks with a Missouri Valley Conference victory.
The Bruins have lost their last three consecutive matches and rank seventh in the conference. Bradley rides a five-game losing streak, taking last in the MVC.
Belmont leads the series 3-2-1, defeating Bradley 3-1 last season.
Missouri State vs. Northern Illinois:
Missouri State (6-2-1, 2-0-1) hosts Northern Illinois (2-8-0, 0-2-0) on Sunday at 8 p.m. Missouri State leads a six-game unbeaten streak, which includes three shutouts. Their latest shutout took place in their 1-0 defeat over Creighton on Tuesday. Senior forward Fumiya Shiraishi found a last-minute goal to pull the Bears ahead and secure the victory.
Northern Illinois is on a three-game losing streak and hopes to earn their first MVC victory against Missouri State.
The series is tied 2-2, Missouri State defeating NIU 3-0 last season.
