The Basics
Top-seeded Drake women's soccer will begin postseason play in the semifinal round of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and will occupy hosting duties at Mediacom Stadium on the Drake University campus against No. 4 seed UIC on Thursday evening at 6 p.m. Earlier in the day on Thursday at 3 p.m., 6 p.m. No. 6 Valparaiso will take on No. 2 Missouri State. The semifinal winners will meet in the MVC Tournament Championship at Mediacom Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 5.
Drake Women's Soccer in the MVC Tournament
Drake women's soccer owns a 10-17-3 all-time record in the MVC Tournament and last won the conference tournament crown in 2006 (its only MVC Tournament title). In 2006, Drake defeated Missouri State, 1-0 before beating Evansville, 1-0 in the title match on Nov. 5, 2006 for an appearance in the NCAA Tournament (2-0 loss to Saint Louis).
Mediacom Stadium
Des Moines, Iowa will be the host site of a portion of the MVC Women's Soccer Tournament for the first time since 2004. This time the venue is brand new Mediacom Stadium. Nestled on campus, Mediacom Stadium is a 4,000-seat, $24-million outdoor sports venue that is the result of a partnership between Drake University and Des Moines Public Schools. Mediacom Stadium is home to both Drake soccer programs and DMPS high school sports. The Bulldogs won their Mediacom Stadium debut, 1-0 over Evansville on Sunday, Oct. 15 as Layla Kelbel supplied the game-winning goal in the 30th minute.
Parking and Ticket Information
Spectator and limited ADA parking are located south of Mediacom Stadium in Lot 1.
Spectators will enter through the main gate located on Forest Ave., in the SW corner of the stadium. Additional ADA parking is located on Lot 3 behind the Knapp Center to the NW of Mediacom Stadium.
Drake University has implemented a clear bag policy for all Drake Athletics events. More information here.
Pass list entry will be at the Mediacom Stadium ticket office located at the main gate.
Tickets are $10 and can only be purchased at the Drake Athletics Ticket Office on Forest Ave.
Broadcast Information
Both semifinal contests and the championship match will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Brian Bedo (play-by-play) and Dave Dir (analyst).
Quick Kicks
-The 3-2 win at Belmont on Oct. 22 clinched Drake's seventh regular season championship and the first since 2017. Drake was predicted to finish fourth in the 2023 MVC Women's Soccer preseason poll.
-Drake's 12 wins are tied for second-most in program history. The Bulldogs have won 12 or more games during a season seven times. Drake's program record for single-season victories is 13, accomplished in 2003, 2004 and 2017.
-Drake women's soccer has won at least 10 games in a season for the 10th time in program history (first season of Drake women's soccer was 2002).
-Eight conference wins are the most in program history, surpassing seven conference victories during the 2004 campaign (7-0-0).
-Emma Nagel is 5-for-5 on penalty kick attempts this season after converting another at Murray State on Oct. 19. She has a team-best eight goals and 20 points this season.
-Drake is 8-2 this season in games decided by one goal.
-The Bulldogs are currently on a seven-match unbeaten streak dating back to Sept. 28.
-Drake is 7-2-2 at home this year (6-2-2 at Drake Stadium, 1-0-0 at Mediacom Stadium) while carrying a 4-1-1 road record this season.
-Angela Gutierrez leads Drake with five assists, tying the program record for most assists by a freshman in one season (Laura Moklestad, 2009 and Brittany Schuling, 2010).
-Drake has posted eight shutouts this season (seven shutout wins).
-The Bulldogs have scored three or more goals in a game three times so far this season (4 vs. Parkside on Aug. 18, 3 at Illinois State on Oct. 12 and 3 at Belmont on Oct. 22).
-Drake had a 12-match scoring streak from Aug. 18-Sept. 28, the second longest in program history as the program record for consecutive games scored in is a staggering 19 games from Sept. 5, 2004-Aug. 26, 2005.
-Drake women's soccer hosted its Mental Health Matters game on Sept. 21. The Bulldogs wore green uniforms (green is the official color of mental health awareness) and won the match over SIU, 2-1.
-Zoey Mahoney scored her first collegiate goal on a flip throw-in bouncing off the UNI keeper's hands into the back of the net on Sept. 17. It was the No. 1 play on SportsCenter's Top 10 and was featured on Good Morning America.
Scouting UIC
UIC enters the tournament's semifinals with a 6-7-5 overall record. The Flames have made their way into the semifinals after a draw with Murray State (advanced on PKs 4-3).
The UIC attack is led by Sophia Jaime, who has earned four goals on 27 shots. She is also tied with Makenna Maloy with a team-high four assists.
David Nikolic is in his third season leading the Flames with a 13-25-14 overall mark.
Series History vs. UIC
The 3-1 loss to UIC on Sept. 24 is the only time this season that the Bulldogs have lost by more than one goal and the only time this year they have allowed more than two goals in a single game. The all-time series is tied 2-2, with the Flames winning the last two meetings.
Scouting Missouri State
Missouri State enters the MVC Tournament with an overall record of 12-1-5 overall and an undefeated 7-0-3 mark in conference play. The Bears are riding a 10-match unbeaten streak.
Senior Gracie English leads the Bears in scoring with seven goals, which is good for a tie for fifth in the Valley. She also has let off a team-high 51 shots this season (32 on goal), which is the second-most in the MVC. Senior goalkeeper Camielle Day leads the Missouri Valley in shutouts with 10 and has racked up 47 saves on the year to date.
Kirk Nelson is in his second year at the helm of his Bears' squad following service as the program's associate head coach for eight seasons. He has a record of 24-8-7 since his promotion.
Series History vs. Missouri State
Drake holds a 12-7-5 lead in the all-time series, but the Bulldogs haven't bested the Bears since October 25, 2018. This season, the two played to a 0-0 draw in Springfield on Oct. 5.
Scouting Valparaiso
The Beacons enter the MVC Tournament semifinals at 9-5-6 overall and 3-3-4 in conference play. The Beacons have already notched two wins in the tournament, including a 1-0 result over both Belmont (10/26) and UNI (10/29).
Junior Addy Joiner leads the Beacons' attack with eight goals, which is enough for a tie for second in the Valley. Senior Lindsey DuSatko has lent a helping hand and dished a team-high five assists. Goalkeeper Nikki Coryell sits at fourth in the conference in saves with 78.
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 130-117-48. Marovich also spent six seasons as an assistant and associate head coach of the program prior to his elevation.
Series History vs. Valparaiso
Drake holds a 7-3-1 lead in the all-time series over the Beacons. The Bulldogs' last win over Valparaiso came in November of 2019. In the regular season meeting, the Bulldogs beat the Beacons 2-1 at home.
