This week's MVC women's soccer players of the week are Libby Helverson of Drake; Kelsie Stone of Drake; and Makenna Shepard of Drake.
Women's Soccer Weekly Notebook (PDF)
Offensive Player of the Week
Libby Helverson, Drake
Sr., F, West Des Moines, Iowa
Helverson secured the win against No. 15 Memphis when she scored to put Drake up 2-0. This was the third match in a row that she has scored a goal and recorded two points. She scored the Bulldogs only goal in their loss to South Dakota Thursday. She led Drake's attacking efforts against Memphis which created a number of opportunities for the Bulldogs offensively. She is ranked fifth in the MVC for goals with 3 this season and ranked fourth for most points with eight.
Defensive Player of the Week
Kelsie Stone, Drake
R-Sr., GK, Hoffman Estates, Ill.
Stone recorded 10 saves and a shutout against No. 15 Memphis. After allowing three goals against South Dakota, the most she has all season, she recovered and got the shutout against Memphis. She leads the MVC with most saves (49), saves per game (7.00), and is tied for second for most shutouts (3). Her 10 saves against Memphis was the third time this season she recorded 10 saves and her 29 shots faced were the most this season.
Freshman of the Week
Makenna Shepard, Drake
Fr., M, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Makenna scored the game winning goal against Memphis in the 13th minute of play. It was her first goal and first game winner of her college career. In her 34 minutes on the pitch against Memphis, she not only scored the game winner, but also recorded two points and one shot. Her efforts offensively have allowed for the Bulldogs to create scoring opportunities. She recorded two shots and two shots on goal against South Dakota.
UE .. Ormson Continues to Score
On Thursday, Senior Emily Ormson scored her fourth goal of the season, increasing her team lead in the category. Of Ormson's four goals, Thursday's was the first off a set piece. In all, eight of the Aces 11 goals this season have come off set pieces, with Ormson on the scoring end of the only three to not come off a set piece.
LUC .. Balance Is A Beautiful Thing
As has been the case during Loyola's unprecedented run of success over the past three-plus seasons, the Ramblers boast many venerable threats in the offensive third. Following Jaimee Cibulka's strike in Sunday's meeting with No. 23 Xavier, seven different Ramblers have found the back of the net through the first seven games of the 2021 slate. That group is led by reigning MVC Player of the Year Megan Nemec, who has a team high three tallies to her name.
DU .. Bulldogs Upset No. 15 Memphis
After losing to South Dakota, 4-1, on Thursday, the Bulldogs regrouped to upset No. 15 Memphis 2-0 on Sunday. This being the first time the Bulldogs have beaten a nationally ranked opponent. Freshman Makenna Shepard scored the game winner in the 13th minute for Drake to take the lead 1-0. Senior Libby Helverson secured the win for Drake in the 60th minute when she scored for the third match in a row, putting Drake up 2-0. The Bulldogs went into the match as the underdog but came out on top as their defense, led by keeper Kelsie Stone, was able to stop the Tigers from finding the net. Drake remains in Des Moines to take on Kansas City Friday Sept. 17.
MSU .. Hot Streak
The Bears ran their unbeaten streak to six with ties over Saint Louis (0-0) and Omaha (1-1). The six-match streak without a loss is the most by a Missouri State team since 2014.
VU .. First Career Goals
Sophomore Cassidy Eckstein, freshman Dana Fish and junior Cierra Welch each found the back of the net in the Sunday win over Chicago State - all three scoring for the first time in their collegiate career. It is the first known time in program history that three Valpo players have all scored their first collegiate goals in the same match. Of Valpo's eight goal scorers this year, six of them entered the season with no collegiate goals.
INS .. Trip Up Route 41
Indiana State will travel up to Chicago on Friday to open MVC play against Loyola. The Sycamores are trying to get their first win over the Ramblers since the 2016 season.
UNI .. Meier's All the Way
Sophia Meier had a personal best week with a strong performance against South Dakota State on Friday. Meier recorded the first goal of her collegiate career in the 24th minute of the game while also having season highs in shots on goal and minutes played.
ILS .. Tops In The Valley
Illinois State is the only team in the MVC with multiple players with three-plus goals as fifth-year senior Natalie Vaughn-Low has four and senior Riley O'Brien has three. ISU is also the lone team with four players with multiple goals (Vaughn-Low, O'Brien, fifth-year senior Sarah LaFayette and junior Allison Baker each have two).
SIU .. Sharp Shooters
After an 0-5 loss to SIUE on Thursday, the Salukis came to battle in a close fight with Bellarmine for senior day on Sunday. SIU outshot the Knights, 10-6 in the 0-2 loss. After overcoming injury last season, junior forward Liz Bretchel was back and striking in Maroon leading the pack with two shots and two shots on-goal for SIU.
MSU .. Protecting the Home Turf
With the tie with Omaha, Missouri State moved to to 3-0-1 at home which is its best start since 2014. Throughout its history Missouri State has been no stranger to success at its home field with an all-time record of 135-69-23 (.645).