As Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) play nears an end, teams begin to prepare for tournament play.
Five teams, Missouri State (16 points), Drake (14), Evansville (12), Western Michigan (10), and Bowling Green (10), have secured a spot in the playoffs.
UIC (six), Bradley (four), Belmont (four), and Northern Illinois (three) fight for crucial points on Friday, competing for the sixth spot.
GAMES TO WATCH:
Bowling Green vs. No. 14 Western Michigan:
Bowling Green (9-4-2, 3-3-1) hosts undefeated No. 14 Western Michigan (10-0-6, 2-0-4) on Friday at 7 p.m. The two sides are tied for fourth in the conference standings with 10 points, but the Broncos lead in goal differential.
Although both teams have qualified for postseason play, they continue to fight for a top-four finish and a home quarterfinal match.
Western Michigan rides a 37-game unbeaten streak, beginning at the start of last season. The Broncos rank third nationally in total points (126) and tie for third in goal differential (26).
They are also one of two teams with more than 50 assists this season. Graduate midfielder Owen Smith accounts for 13 of them, leading the entire nation in total assists.
Another player to watch, junior midfielder Carson Hodgson, was named MVC Offensive Player of the Week after a hat trick against Detroit Mercy.
The Falcons faced the Valley’s top three teams in their last three matchups, earning one point across the challenging slate.
After sitting out against Evansville due to a red card, BGSU junior forward Trace Terry returns to play against WMU. The junior is Bowling Green’s co-leading goal scorer, alongside sophomore forward Bennett Painter, with ten goals this season.
Bowling Green leads the all-time series 28-23-6 but last beat the Broncos in 2014.
Evansville at No. 17 Missouri State:
Evansville takes on first-place No. 17 Missouri State on Friday at 8 p.m. Missouri State tops the conference with 16 points, and Evansville occupies third with 12.
MoState will clinch first if they defeat Evansville and Drake loses to or ties with Northern Illinois. If Evansville earns a result against the Bears, they preserve a chance to win the conference.
Both Bears’ losses came in their first three games of the season, as they currently lead an 11-game unbeaten streak. However, they face Evansville and Drake in their final two conference matchups, a pair of top MVC opponents.
Evansville is also riding momentum, winning their last four conference games. The Aces are coming off a 1-0 win over Bowling Green, helped by a six-save performance from freshman goalkeeper Michal Mroz.
Mroz tallies eight wins on the season and leads the Valley in saves per game, averaging 4.07.
Missouri State senior forward Jesus Barea is one of the nation’s top goal-scorers, tying for third with 13 goals. With a goal differential of 18, the Bears sit just outside of the top 10 nationally.
Missouri State leads the all-time series 42-15-6 and has won their last 11 matchups with the Aces.
University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) vs. Bradley:
UIC (6-8-0, 2-4-0) and Bradley (4-7-1, 1-4-3) face off on Friday at 8 p.m. in a vital matchup for both sides. UIC stands sixth in the conference with six points, and Bradley follows with four.
A UIC victory would secure their spot in the tournament with at least points. Northern Illinois could also finish with nine points, but UIC owns the head-to-head.
If Bradley wins their final two games, they clinch a spot in the tournament.
Bradley junior goalkeeper Drew Berry was honored as MVC Defensive Player of the Week following his shutout against No. 14 Western Michigan. This result marked the first time the Broncos had been shut out since Sept. 4, 2023. Berry ranks second in the MVC in saves per game, averaging 4.00.
UIC has fallen to their last four MVC opponents, failing to score in three consecutive matches.
The Flames lead the series history 11-8-1, but the two sides tied 1-1 last season.
