NOTEBOOK (PDF)
The Missouri Valley Conference turned in a collective 5-4-1 (.550) record in non-conference action last week. Missouri State remained unbeaten with wins over Central Arkansas and Tulsa. Loyola and Drake each claimed a win as well, while Evansville earned a win and a draw.
This coming week will feature the first MVC contests of the season. The matches will kick off the new double round-robin MVC league schedule format.
No Place Like Home
MVC men’s soccer programs have been extremely successful at home this non-conference season, sitting 11-2-2 on their home pitches. The start is the best in MVC men’s soccer since the 2009 season when MVC programs went 16-4-2 at home in non-league play.
Home Win Streak
Loyola extended its home win streak to eight-straight on Friday, beating crosstown rival DePaul. The Ramblers last home defeat was a 1-0 overtime loss to Northwestern on Sept. 7, 2018. The streak is tied for the fifth active streak in NCAA Division I trailing Air Force (18), UIC (16), Cal State Fullerton (15) and Indiana (14).
Dolling Strikes Again
Missouri State’s Josh Dolling scored his third and fourth consecutive game-winning goal for the Bears with his last minute goal vs. Central Arkansas and overtime goal vs. Tulsa. Dolling is tied for first nationally (Anders Engebretsen of St. Mary’s) with four game-winners on the season.
Bears Remain Perfect
Missouri State extended its winning streak to four games with a pair of late-game thrillers as the Bears scored in the 89th minute in a 1-0 win over Central Arkansas, followed by a 2-1 come-from-behind win in overtime against Tulsa on Saturday night. The Bears have opened their season with four straight wins for the first time since 2000.
The Bears are one of 12 teams still sitting perfect in all of NCAA Division I, joining Stanford, SMU, St. John’s, Saint Mary’s, Clemson, Navy, Wake Forest, Virginia, Georgetown, Cal St. Fullerton and Rutgers.
Another Shutout
MSU started the season with three-straight shutouts for the first time in program history, before surrendering a goal in the win over Tulsa Saturday. The Bears’ defense has held opponents to a total of four shots on goal through the first four matches to open the season.
Polling
Missouri State is receiving votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll. The Bears received 22 points and sit 29th overall.
MVC in Regional Rankings
The MVC has three teams currently ranked in the latest United Soccer Coaches West Regional rankings released on Tuesday (Sept. 17). Missouri State jumped to No. 2 in the region, while Loyola (6th) and Evansville (9th) also appear in the poll.
Aces at Home
Evansville has played just two matches at home this season, but have been successful at Arad McCutchan Stadium. In two matches at McCutchan Stadium, the Aces have recorded four goals on 27 shots with 13 coming on-goal. The Aces are out-scoring their opposition 4-1 at home this season and have not lost at home since Sept. 21, 2018 in a loss to then No. 2 Indiana.
This week's Missouri Valley Conference Players of the Week are Missouri State's Josh Dolling and Kyle Hiebert.
MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Josh Dolling, Jr., F, Missouri State
Josh Dolling continues his hot start to the 2019 campaign for the Bears, scoring the game-winning goals in both matches last week to keep Missouri State undefeated on the season. The junior forward fired the game-winner in the final minute of regulation to secure the Bears’ 1-0 win over Central Arkansas on Tuesday, Sept. 10. He turned right around and provided late-game heroics once again in the next match, scoring the golden goal for MSU in its 2-1 overtime thriller against Tulsa on Saturday night. Dolling leads the nation with four game-winning goals, recording the go-ahead goal in each of the Bears’ four straight wins to open the season.
Other Notable Performances: Leroy Enzugusi (DU); Jesse Stafford-Lacey (UE); Billy Hency (LUC); Ryan Madondo (VALPO)
MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Kyle Hiebert, Jr., D, Missouri State
Kyle Hiebert played in 183 minutes in two matches for Missouri State this past week as the Bears stayed undefeated with wins over Central Arkansas and Tulsa. A junior from Canada, Hiebert helped the Bears’ defense secure its third straight shutout in a 1-0 win against UCA. A mainstay at center back for MSU, Hiebert anchors a Bears’ backline that has surrendered only one goal on the season, holding opponents to just four shots on goal through the first four games.
Other Notable Performances: Luke Anderson (DU); Hunter DeWeese (UE); Edvin Holst (VALPO)