Men's Soccer

MVC Men's Soccer Weekly Notebook (Sept. 8)

Player of the Week: John McDowell, Belmont
Defensive Player of the Week: Adrian Franks, Bradley
Goalkeeper of the Week: Hugo Amo, Evansville
 
Belmont’s John McDowell scored the equalizer for the Bruins on a PK in the 88th minute, as Belmont earned the 1-1 draw at E.S. Rose Park on Friday night against Mercer. He tallied six shots, three on goal, before finding the back of the net late in the match. The grad student is now tied for the team lead in goals this season (2).
 
Adrian Franks became the fifth Brave, and second defender, to score a goal for Bradley this season. The freshman scored on a stellar free kick from roughly 20 yards out against Western Illinois, providing the equalizer in the 24th minute of the match. With Franks’ selection, Bradley has now had at least one player to earn a weekly honor in three-consecutive weeks for the first time since 2018.
 
Following a strong performance in Evansville’s first result of the season against Kentucky, Hugo Amo played all 90 minutes in goal for the Purple Aces on Friday night. The goalie recorded a pair of saves and now ranks third in The Valley, averaging 3.25 stops per outing.
 
Conference News & Notes
  • Belmont will face nearby rival Lipscomb Tuesday night in the 29th Battle of the Boulevard. The series is deadlocked at 12-12-4 all-time, with the Bruins taking the last two meetings between the two clubs.
  • Bowling Green will look to break its four-match skid this weekend against DePaul. Of BGSU’s four losses this season, three have come after the match was scoreless through at least 75 minutes. BGSU has allowed nine goals in five matches, and seven of those nine goals have come in the 76th minute or later.
  • With its 1-1 draw against Western Illinois last week, Bradley remains unbeaten at home this season. It marks the first time since 2023 that the Braves are unbeaten at Shea Stadium through four home matches.
  • Drake suffered its first loss of the season on Monday night, being edged by Kansas City, 1-0. The Roos, were ranked No. 23 heading into the match, scored in the 32nd minute of the match. Cole Schrage and Landon Benge each had three shots to lead the Bulldog attack with all three of Benge’s shots finding the target.
  • Tuesday night’s meeting between the Purple Aces and No. 22 Louisville marks the 19th all-time in the series, with Evansville holding the 11-6-1 advantage. Evansville topped the Cardinals, 3-1, last year in Louisville, marking their first victory over the Cardinals since 2001.
  • UIC opens up a five-match homestand on Thursday against Western Illinois. The Flames are 19-6-3 at home over the last three years. In additional to the Leathernecks, Loyola, Northwestern, Bradley and Notre Dame will all be making trips to Flames Field during that span.
  • Western Michigan earned its first victory of the season on Monday, earning the 1-0 win over Butler. Vitor Geromel found the back of the net for the fourth time this season, as the junior leads all MVC players in the category heading into this week’s competition.
  • A pair of MVC coaches are closing in on 150 career victories at the Division I level. UIC’s Sean Phillips is just three wins shy of the milestone, while Western Michigan’s Chad Wiseman needs six victories.