The Valley title race is hitting the final stretch as Western Michigan took control of the race with a win at Missouri State Sunday. The Broncos lead the table (5-0-1, 16 pts), holding a three point lead over Missouri State (4-1-1, 13 pts). Bowling Green (4-2-0, 12 pts) won a pair of matches to climb into third just ahead of UIC (3-2-2, 11 pts). Belmont (3-3-0, 9 pts), Northern Illinois (2-3-1, 7 pts), Bradley (1-4-1, 4 pts), Evansville (1-4-1, 4 pts) and Drake (1-5-1, 4 pts) round out the standings.
Seed Ranges for MVC Tournament
The top six teams at the end of the regular season will qualify for the MVC Tournament.
Team Points Range Matches Remaining
Western Michigan 16 1-3 BEL, @BRAD
Missouri State 13 1-5 @BGSU, DU
Bowling Green 12 1-6 MOST, @NIU
UIC 11 2-6 NIU
Belmont 9 2-out @WMU, UE
Northern Illinois 7 3-out @UIC, BGSU
Evansville 4 5-out BRAD, @BEL
Bradley 4 5-out @UE, WMU
Drake 4 6-out @MOST
This week’s conference slate includes four matches on Friday as the race for the conference tournament and regular season title continues. Western Michigan can secure a share of the regular season title and the top seed in the upcoming Valley tournament with a win vs. Belmont.
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 25th in the RPI with Western Michigan also in good position at 33. UIC sits 47th, Belmont 76th and Bowling Green 89th. The MVC ranks 11th as a conference.
Missouri State continues to appear in all three national polls this week. The Bears sit No. 18 in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 (Oct. 24), No. 21 in the College Soccer News Top 30 poll and No. 21 in the Top Drawer Soccer Top 25.
Western Michigan moved into this week's United Soccer Coaches Top 25 at No. 23 and also sits No. 17 in this week’s College Soccer News Top 30 and No. 20 in the Top Drawer Soccer Top 25.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Charlie Sharp, Western Michigan
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Mads Christensen, Bowling Green