The Valley title race is at the midpoint and the standings see a three-way tie for first at 10 points entering the back half of the schedule. Missouri State (3-0-1, 10 pts), Western Michigan (3-0-1, 10 pts) and UIC (3-1-1, 10 pts) all sit at the top of the table entering this week's busy slate. Belmont is also within striking distance of the top, sitting one point back at 3-2-0 (9pts). Bowling Green (2-2-0, 6 pts) sits four points back entering the week, while Evansville (1-3-1, 4 pts), Drake (1-3-1, 4 pts) and Northern Illinois (1-2-1, 4 pts) have four points. The top six teams at the end of the regular season will qualify for the MVC Tournament.

Missouri State enters the week 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.

According to the latest RPI Update from the NCAA, the MVC has four teams sitting in the Top 100 of the RPI. Missouri State sits 20th in the RPI with UIC also in good position at 31. Western Michigan sits 49th and Belmont at 74th. The MVC ranks 11th as a conference.

Missouri State continues to appear in all three national polls this week. The Bears sit No. 16 in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 (Oct. 10), No. 13 in the College Soccer News Top 30 poll and No. 16 in the Top Drawer Soccer Top 25.

Western Michigan sits No. 26 in this week’s College Soccer News Top 30. The Broncos were also receiving votes in last week’s United Soccer Coaches Top 25.

Western Michigan extended its unbeaten streak to a new program best 12 games without a loss in the win over Drake.  The Broncos only loss this season came in the season opener at #8 Vermont. 

Drake enjoyed a historic week in Des Moines as they played their first-ever game in the brand-new Mediacom Stadium. The new venue is the first on-campus, soccer-centric stadium in Drake University history.

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 11th nationally with a save percentage of .826.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK:  Tom Cooklin, Western Michigan
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK:  Jakub Rojek, Northern Illinois

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