Notebook (PDF)
The Valley kicked off the 2018 men’s soccer season with a 5-3-2 record last weekend.
Poll Position
Loyola is receiving votes in this week’s United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll, following a pair of wins over Vermont and Northern Illinois last weekend. The Ramblers are receiving 11 votes in the poll.
Ramblin’ Out of the Gate
Loyola improved to 2-0 on the season following Sunday’s 1-0 win over Northern Illinois, claiming the Hampton Inn at Loyola Chicago Classic title. It’s the Ramblers’ first 2-0 start since the 2016 season when Loyola opened the campaign 7-0 on the way to an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament.
Record Setting Win
Valpo debuted its new Brown Field turf by equaling a program record for goals in a game on Monday night, downing IU Northwest 8-2 in the home opener. Valpo matched a program record of eight goals in a match that was established on Aug. 26, 2011 against Calumet and had stood alone ever since. Monday was the sixth time in program history Valpo prevailed by six goals or more and the first time the team had a margin of victory that large since the aforementioned 2011 game against Calumet.
Bradley Extends Non-Con Streak
Bradley was 6-0-4 in its 10 games outside conference play last season. The Braves are unbeaten (7-0-7) in their last 14 non-conference games, which sits as the second-longest streak in program history, trailing only the record 18-game (15-0-3) run from Sept. 7, 1997 to Nov. 13, 1998.
This week's Missouri Valley Conference Players of the Week are Valparaiso's Cole Rainwater and Bradley's Jacob McKee.
MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Cole Rainwater, Fr., F, Valparaiso
Rainwater turned in a hat trick in the first home fixture of his collegiate career, scoring in the 23rd, 53rd and 86th minutes of an 8-2 victory over IU Northwest on Monday. His final goal came on a penalty kick to complete the feat. It was the 10th hat trick in program history and the third in the last four years. Rainwater added an assist to his three-goal effort, making it a seven-point night for the rookie. He matched a program record for points in a single match, becoming just the fifth player in Valpo history to accrue seven. He was the first player to do so since Paul Leitelt on Aug. 27, 2006 vs. Evansville. Rainwater struck seven shots in Monday’s match, placing six on goal.
Other Notable Performances: Leroy Enzugusi (DU); Matic Pavlic (UE); Aidan Megally (LUC); Josh Dolling (MSU)
MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jacob McKee, Sr., D, Bradley
A senior defender, McKee appeared in a season-opener for the first time in his career, playing the entire 110 minutes in Bradley’s 0-0 draw against Belmont Friday night at Shea Stadium. Anchoring one of Bradley’s two central defender slots, McKee not only helped the Braves to a shutout performance, but keyed a defensive effort that did not allow a single shot on goal for the first time in at least five years. Bradley’s defensive effort strengthened throughout the opener and Belmont managed just one shot in the 20 minutes of extra time.
Other Notable Performances: Marcel Kampman (LUC); Edvin Holst (VALPO)