NOTEBOOK (PDF)
With just three weeks remaining in the regular season, league teams are looking to move up in the Valley standings. Loyola currently occupies the top spot with 2-0-2 league record, while Missouri State sits one point behind the Ramblers at 2-1-1. Central Arkansas holds the third spot in the standings at 2-1, while Drake, Evansville and Valparaiso all sit 1-1-1 in MVC action.
Saturday's MVC schedule features, Loyola hosting Evansville, Central Arkansas traveling to Valparaiso and Drake hosting Bradley.
Ramblin’ On
Since starting the season with a 1-3 record, Loyola has posted a 5-1-2 record and holds an RPI of 42 entering this week’s action. Saturday’s win over Missouri State put the Ramblers atop the MVC standings over the previously unbeaten Bears. It was the first win for the Ramblers against a United Soccer Coaches Top-25 team since their 2016 victory over No. 12 Utah Valley. Loyola has played the 27th toughest schedule in the nation this season.
Tourney Spots Secure
Helped by a Bradley loss on Saturday, Loyola and Missouri State have each officially earned a spot in the 2018 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament which will be held November 7, 9 and 11 at the University of Evansville. The top six teams in the standings will advance to the league tournament. A Bradley loss to Drake on Saturday in Des Moines would eliminate the Braves from tourney contention.
Home Success
In league play, the home team has posted a 7-2-3 mark on their own pitch. The lone home defeats were by Bradley to Loyola and Valparaiso. Overall this season, Missouri State (5-0-1), Central Arkansas (4-1-1) and Evansville (3-1-3 have been the best at home.
NCAA RPI Report
The latest NCAA RPI report has been released and The Valley has three teams featured in the top-100. Loyola leads the league at No. 42, while Missouri State (No. 67) and Drake (No. 98) are also among the nation’s top-100. The MVC ranks 12th among 24 conferences.
National Team of the Week
Loyola’s Grant Stoneman and Valparaiso’s Lucca Lacerda each earned a spot on this week’s College Soccer News National Team of the Week. Stoneman anchored the Ramblers’ back line during a pair of shutouts, while Lacerda scored the game-winner against Eastern Illinois and added two more goals in a win at Bradley.
Top 25 Success
The Valley holds a 4-3 record against Top 25 teams this season. The four Top 25 wins is the most during a season since Valley teams posted a 5-8--1 record vs. the Top 25 during the 2013 season. Evansville has another chance at a Top 25 win Tuesday night as No. 20 SIUE comes to town.
MVC Non-Conference Top 25 Wins (2018)
Drake: 2-1 win at #9 Butler on 8-27
Drake: 3-1 win vs. #20 UIC on 8-31
Evansville: 1-0 (OT) win vs. #17 Grand Canyon on 9/8
Drake: 2-1 (OT) win at #23 Tulsa on 9/15
Poll Position
In this week’s addition of the national polls, Missouri State continues to receive votes in the College Soccer News Top 30 poll after suffering its first loss of the season Saturday at Loyola.
MVC in Regional Rankings
The MVC has four teams currently ranked in the latest United Soccer Coaches West Regional rankings released on Tuesday (Oct. 16). Loyola sits No. 5 in the region, while Missouri State (6th), Drake (7th) and Central Arkansas (9th) also appear in the poll.
This week's Missouri Valley Conference Players of the Week are Valparaiso's Lucca Lacerda and Loyola's Grant Stoneman.
MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Lucca Lacerda, Sr., F, Valparaiso
Lacerda scored three goals and had one assist over two matches this week including a brace to lift Valpo to a 2-0 Missouri Valley Conference victory at Bradley on Saturday night. His seven-point week propelled Valpo to a perfect 2-0-0 fall break road trip. Lacerda claimed the team lead in goals (4), points (9) and game-winning goals (2) after becoming the first Valpo player with a brace this season. He started his impressive week with a goal and an assist in a 2-1 midweek victory over Eastern Illinois. Lacerda joins Central Arkansas’ Niklas Brodacki as the only MVC players with a brace in conference play this season. Valpo won back-to-back games for the first time this season.
Other Notable Performances: Adam Snow (UE); Chase Wright (LUC)
MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Grant Stoneman, Sr., D, Loyola
Stoneman anchored the Loyola back line to two shutouts and helped hold opponents to just one shot on goal. The senior captain was featured for the full 90 minutes, and his efforts helped the Ramblers post three straight shutouts for the first time this season. Stoneman’s stout play on defense helped hold opponents to a combined nine shots in this week’s reporting period, including allowing just five to No. 25 Missouri State in Loyola’s 1-0 win over the Bears on Oct. 13 - a win that put Loyola in first place in the MVC.
Other Notable Performances: Simon Waever (UE); Nacho Miras (VALPO)