NOTEBOOK (PDF)
The Missouri Valley Conference turned in a collective 4-3 (.571) record in non-conference action last week, while Missouri State, Bradley and Valpo each earned conference wins. Bradley improved to 5-3 on the season with wins over Loyola and Fort Wayne, while Missouri State beat Central Arkansas and Oral Roberts. Evansville, Valpo and Drake each earned a split during the week with 1-1 records.
This coming week will feature a pair of MVC contests Saturday as well as five non-conference matches.
MVC in Regional Rankings
The MVC has four teams currently ranked in the latest NSCAA West Regional rankings released on Tuesday. Evansville sits No. 6 in the region, while Bradley (7th) , Missouri State (8th) and Valparaiso (9th) also appear in the poll.
Against the Field
The MVC holds a winning record against four leagues in non-conference play (Atlantic Sun, Conference USA, Horizon and Summit) and at least a .500 mark against another three (American Athletic, Atlantic 10 and Mid-American).
Hot MVC Start
Valpo is off to its first 2-0 start to conference play since 1997. A win on Saturday afternoon over Central Arkansas would give Valpo its first 3-0 start to a conference season in the history of the program, which began in 1983.
Coaching Milestone
Valpo head coach Mike Avery picked up his 77th career victory, breaking Mis’ Mrak’s program record for career wins. Mrak won 76 matches during his tenure, which spanned from 1991-2006.
Shea Shutouts
Bradley has won its last four home games in shutout fashion, including three of the four games by 3-0 scores. The home shutout streak is Bradley’s longest since winning the first four home games of the 2015 season by 1-0 scores. When the Braves host Drake Sept. 30, they will seek a fifth consecutive home shutout for the first time since setting the program record with five straight clean sheets at Becker Park to open the 1997 season.
Last But Not Least
Evansville will open Missouri Valley Conference play on Saturday night on the road at Missouri State. The Aces are currently the only team in the league without a league tilt under their belt and hold the best winning percentage in the conference with a 5-2 record (.714). Evansville has not opened conference play on the road since 2012, when the Aces captured a 2-0 victory over Missouri State.
This week's Missouri Valley Conference Players of the Week are Missouri State's Conor Ingram and Bradley's Brandon Barnes.
MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Conor Ingram, Jr., F, Missouri State
Missouri State junior Conor Ingram netted two goals during the week to lead the Bears to a pair of wins. The first came at the 56-minute mark in the opening MVC match against Central Arkansas when Ingram scored off a shot deflection to tie the match. In Saturday’s win over Oral Roberts, Ingram scored the game-winner in the 88th minute, scoring off an assist from Harry Lewis. In the two matches this week Ingram led the team with two goals, four shots on goal and six total shots. On the season Ingram has accumulated eight shots on goal, three goals and 12 shots with a .66 shot on goal percentage.
Other Notable Performances: Roman Schindler (BRAD), Jonas Engler (VALPO)
MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Brandon Barnes, Sr., GK, Bradley
Bradley senior Brandon Barnes posted his third and fourth shutouts of the season, leading the Braves to a pair of wins last week. Barnes made two saves in Bradley’s 1-0 win Wednesday against Loyola to open conference play with a win against the defending league champion. Barnes came through with seven more saves in Saturday’s 3-0 win against Fort Wayne to secure Bradley’s fourth consecutive home shutout. During his four years at Seton Hall, Barnes played just 672 minutes during eight games in his sophomore season. The graduate transfer now has eclipsed that total by playing all 737 minutes in Bradley’s first eight games this season, posting four shutouts, a 0.86 goals against average and a 0.841 saves percentage.
Other Notable Performances: Frederik Reimer (UE); Liam Priestley (MSU); Chavez Brooks-Robinson (VALPO)