The league’s current .485 non-conference winning percentage is its best in eight seasons (since 2017 when the league was at .582 in non-league play).  League schools had an impressive Sunday with no losses in nine non-league matches (5-0-4).

PLAYER OF THE WEEK:  Eve Blakey, Drake
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK:  Dory Latenser, Southern Illinois
GOALKEEPER OF THE WEEK:  Griselda Revolorio, Murray State
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK:  Kiara Desiderio, Valparaiso

Southern Illinois went 2-0 in its two matches last week to improve to 3-0 on the year, setting a program best with three-straight wins to start a season.  The Salukis are just one of 34 teams in the NCAA to have won every match this season.

Eve Blakey of Drake had a league season-best six points in the 5-0 win against Western Illinois on Thursday (two goals and two assists).  The Bulldogs nearly had a perfect week, as Iowa State scored in the final minute to force a 1-1 draw on Sunday in Ames.

Breece Bass’ 65th-minute goal lifted Murray State to a 1-0 win over preseason OVC favorite Tennessee Tech on Sunday.  Griselda Revolorio earned her second shutout of the season for the Racers.

UNI blanked visiting Western Illinois, 4-0, on Sunday in interim head coach Alex Place Thomas’ first career win at the helm.  Sunday’s match marked the sixth time in school history the Panthers have scored at least four goals in the first half, the first such match since 2023 against Illinois State.

Valpo rolled to a 3-0 win over visiting Purdue Fort Wayne in Sunday’s home-opening match for the Beacons.  The three-goal win was Valpo’s largest winning margin since a 5-1 triumph over Chicago State on Aug. 31, 2023.

Indiana State’s Alex Lehnert scored twice at Chattanooga on Thursday, including a key second-half strike that pulled ISU within 4-3.  It marked her second-straight match with two goals.




PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Eve Blakey, Drake, Sr., F, Newcastle, England / Academy of Sport
Led the offensive charge for Drake to a win and a draw in a pair of road matches against Western Illinois and Iowa State……Tallied a six-point match against WIU scoring two goals and adding two assists in the 5-0 rout over the Leathernecks.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Dory Latenser, Southern Illinois, So., D, Kansas City, Kan. / Bishop Miege
Scored the game-winning goal in SIU’s 2-0 shutout of SEMO on Thursday and was instrumental on the back line in the 3-1 road victory at IU Indy on Sunday, helping the Salukis start the year 3-0, their best start to a season in program history. The sophomore also added an assist in the SEMO game. 

GOALKEEPER OF THE WEEK
Griselda Revolorio, Murray State, Jr., Washington, Ind. / Indiana University HS
Recorded 10 saves in two matches this week, with highlight-reel saves in each game. Notched her second shutout on the young season against Tennessee Tech. Brought her season save % to 85%, and 17 total saves on the season.

FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Kiara Desiderio, Valparaiso, Fr., F, St. John, Ind. / Hanover Central
Scored the first two goals of her collegiate career to close out a 3-0 win over Purdue Fort Wayne in Valpo’s home opener ... First brace by a Valpo player since Sept. 8, 2024. Just the second brace by a Valpo freshman in the nine seasons.