All league teams will play two MVC matches this week, beginning on Thursday.

Offensive Player of the Week -- Eve Blakey (Drake)
Defender of the Week -- Alanna Pennington (Drake)
Goalkeeper of the Week -- Madi Valenti (Illinois State)
Freshman of the Week -- Avery Oergel (Indiana State)

The league’s .547 non-conference winning percentage is the second-best in the league’s 31-year history sponsoring women’s soccer.

Top Non-Conf Records (MVC Women’s Soccer)
2017 -- 47-33-5 (.582)
2025 -- 37-29-20 (.547)
2010 -- 38-33-10 (.531) 
2001 -- 45-41-2 (.522)
2005 -- 40-38-12 (.511) 

• Drake scored the final four goals of its opener against Valparaiso last week to win its opener 5-1.  The preseason favorite got two goals from Eve Blakey.
• With a 1-1 draw at Illinois State last Thursday, Murray State extended its unbeaten streak to five, the program’s longest since March 2-16, 2020.
• Indiana State had a dramatic 3-3 draw at UNI this past Saturday. ISU found themselves in a 3-1 hole, but Tori Angelo got one back in the 85th mnute, and just minutes later, Avery Oergel leveled the match at 3-3.
• Evansville won its first MVC opener since 2021 on Saturday, taking down UIC by a score of 2-1 at Arad McCutchan Stadium.  With the win, Evansville improves its record to 5-2-1, marking the quickest UE has reached five wins since 2013.  
• UNI’s Olivia Knoepfle’s two goals against Indiana State gives her 19 goals in her career, one from tying Brynell Yount (2015-18) and Shannon Dechant (2002-05) for third-most in team history.
• Southern Illinois improved to 7-1-2 with a 2-1 win against Belmont over the weekend.   Sophia Schlicklin and Aylie Haycock provided SIU’s two goals, while Dana Nadda had an assist on both Saluki goals.
• Thursday’s draw with Murray State marks the third consecutive draw for Illinois State, the first time in program history that the Redbirds have accomplished the feat. For the third season in a row, Illinois State has drawn in its conference opener.
• Belmont’s Maggie Gawrych netted her first goal of the season in the 2-1 loss to Southern Illinois -- she’s the sixth different Bruin to find the back of the net this season.
• Valpo’s Molly O’Rear’s goal against Drake was her third of the season, but her first in the run of play. She now has nine points this year, having been involved with three assists as well.
• UIC plays its second-straight road match of the league schedule as it faces Indiana State in Terre Haute on Thursday.  The Flames open their MVC home schedule against Valparaiso on Sunday.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Eve Blakey, Drake, F, Sr., Newcastle, England / Academy of Sport
Led Drake in its 5-1 win over Valpo to open conference play.  She scored two goals against the Beacons, which marked her third contest this season with multiple goals.  Upped her goal total to seven on the year, which ranks her second in the league ... Ripped off a total of seven shots in the match and had six attempts come on target in just 33 minutes of action.

DEFENDER OF THE WEEK
Alanna Pennington, Drake, So., Ankeny, Iowa / Ankeny Centennial
Scored her first goal of the season off a header in Drake’s 5-1 win over Valpo…Played all 90 minutes in the match against the Beacons…Played a key role in a Bulldog backline that held the Beacons to just one goal and six shots in the contest.

GOALKEEPER OF THE WEEK
Madi Valenti, Illinois State, GK, So., St. Charles, Mo. / Francis Howell Central
Made three saves against Murray State, including a save in the 86th minute to keep the game level at 1-1. Has tallied three saves in five out of the last six games.

FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Avery Oergel, Indiana State, D, Fr., Fulton, Md. / Reservoir High
Oergel delivered a breakout performance in Indiana State’s 3-3 draw at UNI. After overcoming an injury, starting and playing 70 minutes, she scored her first career goal. Oergel was clinical in front of the goal, converting 1 of her 2 shots — both on target.  On the week, she totaled 1 goal, 2 shots, 2 shots on goal, and 70 minutes played, marking a milestone moment in her career.