Game of the Weekend: Drake at Bowling Green:
Drake (6-3-2, 2-0-1) will take on Bowling Green (9-2-1, 3-1-0) Saturday at 7:30 PM EDT. Drake remains undefeated in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC), most recently drawing 1-1 with No. 14 Western Michigan.
This match marked the third consecutive year the Bulldogs have managed a result against a ranked opponent. Bowling Green picked up its first conference loss against UIC last weekend but followed it up with a 5-2 victory over Detroit Mercy.
BGSU sophomore forward Bennett Painter was involved in every goal against Detroit Mercy, racking up three goals and two assists.
Painter now ranks sixth in the country in total points (21) and eighth in total goals (nine). He ties for first in game-winning goals alongside his teammate, junior forward Trace Terry, with four apiece.
With 10 goals of his own, Terry ranks tied for third nationally in that category. As a team, the Falcons are fifth in total assists (32), seventh in total goals (28) and total points (88).
Bowling Green and Drake are in second and third place in the MVC, respectively, and will be searching for a win to stay at the top of the table. The two teams faced off for the first time last season, with the Falcons earning a 3-1 victory.
Northern Illinois vs. No. 14 Western Michigan:
Northern Illinois (2-9-0, 0-3-0) hosts No. 14 Western Michigan (7-0-5, 1-0-3) on Saturday at 4 PM EDT. NIU rides a four-game losing streak and is the only MVC team without a conference win or tie.
Western Michigan is one of five teams in the country without a loss in 2024 and looks to extend their 33-game unbeaten streak this weekend.
WMU graduate midfielder Owen Smith is the only player in the country to total double-digit assists, with 10 this season. The Broncos lead nationally in total points (99), rank third in goal differential (20), and tie for fifth in total goals (29).
Northern Illinois leads the all-time series 21-17-3, although WMU has won six of their last 10 matchups. The two teams faced off twice last season, with the Broncos winning 3-1 both times.
Belmont vs. No. 17 Missouri State:
Belmont (3-6-3, 0-3-1) will play No. 17 Missouri State (7-2-1, 3-0-1) on Saturday at 7 PM EDT. Belmont managed their first victory in nine games on Tuesday, defeating DIII non-conference opponent Covenant College 1-0. Missouri State leads a seven-game unbeaten streak, coming off a 7-0 dismantling of Northern Illinois last weekend.
Following victories against Creighton and NIU, the Bears moved into the Top 25 rankings at No. 17. They also swept the conference awards this week after some impressive individual performances. Senior forward Fumiya Shiraishi was named MVC offensive player of the week, and redshirt senior goalkeeper Will Lowry was awarded defensive player of the week honors.
Belmont trails in the all-time series 2-4-2, falling to Missouri State 0-1 last season.
UIC at Evansville:
UIC (6-4-0, 2-1-0) will travel to play Evansville (5-5-1, 1-2-0) on Saturday at 8 PM EDT. UIC handed Bowling Green their first loss last weekend, defeating the Falcons 2-1. Evansville is coming off a 2-0 win over Bradley, their first victory in seven games.
UIC redshirt senior forward Bart Muns was credited with both goals in their win against the Falcons, making him the Flames’ top goal scorer with five goals.
Both teams fall around the middle of the conference standings, with UIC at fourth and Evansville at sixth. UIC leads the series 2-0-0, defeating Evansville 5-1 last season.
