Quick Kicks
-Drake women's soccer will travel to Springfield, Mo.,  on Thursday, Oct. 5 in search of its second road win of the season at 7 p.m. On Sunday (Oct. 8), the Bulldogs will play host to the Beacons of Valparaiso at 1 p.m.
-The Bulldogs rebounded from their first conference loss of a season with a 2-0 shutout win over Indiana State at home on Thursday, Sept. 28.
-Thursday marked the fifth shutout of the year for the Bulldogs. It was also their third shutout at home.
-Emma Nagel tied for the Missouri Valley Conference lead in goals scored (6) in Thursday's win. Laura Riesenbeck picked up her first two assists of the season.
-Redshirt-sophomore Madelyn Smith scored her first career goal in the win over the Sycamores.
-Drake's 3-1 start to MVC play marks its best start through four conference games since 2017 (4-0)
 
Broadcast Information
Both matches will stream live on ESPN+.
 
Scouting Missouri State
Missouri State sits at the top of the Missouri Valley and enters the weekend on a five-match unbeaten streak. The Bears are coming off a 3-0 win at UIC in the windy city last Sunday.
 
Senior Gracie English leads the Bears in scoring with five goals. She also has let off a team-high 36 shots this season (23 on goal). Senior goalkeeper Camielle Day leads the Missouri Valley Conference in shutouts with six and has racked up 37 saves on the year to date.
 
Kirk Nelson is in his second year at the helm of Missouri State, but he was the program's associate head coach for eight seasons. He has a record of 20-8-6 since his being put in charge.
 
Series History vs. Missouri State
Drake holds a 12-7-4 lead in the all-time series, but the Bulldogs haven't beat the Bears since October 25, 2018. The two played to a 1-1 tie last season in Des Moines.
 
Scouting Valparaiso
The Beacons enter the week at 5-2-5 overall and 1-0-3 in Missouri Valley Conference play. Valparaiso is riding a six-game unbeaten streak, and most recently, the Beaconns tied Murray State 1-1 at home.

Junior Addy Joiner leads the Valpo attack with 12 shots on goal and six goals. Senior Lindsey DuSatko has lent a helping hand dishing out 4 assists to lead her squad in the category. Keeper Nikki Coryell sits third in the conference in saves with 49.
 
John Marovich is in his 16th season at the helm of the Valparaiso program, a seat he's held since 2008. He has earned a career record of 126-114-47. Marovich also spent six seasons as an assistant and associate head coach of the program prior to his promotion.

Series History vs. Valparaiso
Drake holds a 6-3-1 lead in the all-time series over the Beacons. The Bulldogs' last win over Valparaiso came in November of 2019. Most recently, Valpo picked up a 2-0 win over Drake in 2022.

Up Next
Drake will travel to Illinois State on Thursday, Oct. 12 for a 6 p.m. kickoff.