Missouri State enters the week in sole possession of first place, sitting at 3-0-1 (10 pts) in The Valley standings. Western Michigan (2-0-1, 7 pts) and UIC (2-1-1, 7 pts) enter the week trailing the Bears by three points. Bowling Green (2-1-0, 6 pts) and Belmont (2-2-0, 6 pts) are four points back entering the week. Evansville (1-2-1, 4 pts), Drake (1-2-1, 4 pts), Northern Illinois (0-2-1, 1 pt) and Bradley (0-3-0, 0 pts) round out the standings.

Following Sunday's 0-0 draw with UIC, Missouri State is riding a 28-match Valley unbeaten streak dating back to the 2020-21 season. The Bears’ last loss to a Valley team was vs. Loyola Chicago on April 8, 2021. In fact, since the 2019 season, Missouri State is 43-1-4 in matches vs. Valley teams (includes MVC tournaments), which is the best conference run nationally over that time period.

This week’s conference slate includes four matches on Saturday as the league schedule hits the midpoint. League-leader Missouri State has the weekend off and will return to Valley action on Oct. 18.

Robbe Tarver is officially the Head Coach of the Aces after the University of Evansville removed the interim tag on Monday afternoon. Tarver has been with the Aces program since the 2020 season, first as an Assistant Coach and Associate Head Coach under Marshall Ray, and then as Interim Head Coach since mid-March. Tarver is Evansville's seventh program Head Coach and sixth at the Division I level. (FULL STORY)

Valley goalkeepers have been elite this season in save percentage. The Valley has five teams ranking among the top 40 nationally. Missouri State paces The Valley teams, ranking 10th nationally with a save percentage of .833. 

Missouri State is second in the nation in goals against average (0.300) and third in the country in shutout percentage (.700). The Bears have only allowed three goals this season, tied with Bryant for the least in Division I.

Western Michigan continued its undefeated stretch after losing to #12 ranked Vermont on August 24. The Broncos have now completed 10 games without a loss and has matched last year's best unbeaten streak of 10 games.  WMU's program record is 11-straight (1983-84, 2017).

According to the latest RPI Update from the NCAA, the MVC has five teams sitting in the Top 100 of the RPI. Missouri State sits 30th in the RPI with UIC also in good position at 34. Western Michigan sits 56th. Belmont (79) and Bowling Green (100) also sit among the Top 100. The MVC ranks 10th as a conference.

The MVC has four teams currently ranked in the latest United Soccer Coaches West Regional rankings (Oct. 10). Missouri State sits No. 1 in the region, while UIC sits at No. 7. Western Michigan is No. 8 this week and Bowling Green remains in the poll at No. 10.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK:  Jansen Wilson, Belmont
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK:  Andres Vasquez, UIC

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