The Basics
The Drake women's soccer team takes to the pitch for its final regular season game on Thursday afternoon as it hosts Southern Illinois from Mediacom Stadium.
Bulldogs by the Numbers
The Bulldogs are vying to claim the Missouri Valley Conference regular season crown for the eighth time in program history. They currently own sole possession of first place with 16 points in the MVC standings. The last time Drake won the MVC regular season title was in 2023. If the Bulldogs win against Southern Illinois on Thursday afternoon, they clinch the MVC regular season title and will be the No. 1 seed in the MVC Tournament. If Drake ties SIU, then it would need a tie between Murray State and Indiana State to claim the regular season. Murray State and Indiana State are currently tied for second in the standings and are just one point behind Drake with 15 points.
Drake Leaders
Eve Blakey l 18 PTS – 8 G – 2 A - 33 SH – 25 SOG
Isabella Balsley l 13 PTS – 6 G – 1 A - 20 SH – 14 SOG
Madelyn Smith l 8 PTS – 2 G - 4 A – 22 SH – 10 SOG
Angela Gutierrez l 8 PTS – 2 G – 4 A – 28 SH – 10 SOG
Addie Ford l 8-4-3 W/L – 41 SV – 11 GA - .788 SV%
Scouting Southern Illinois
The Salukis will look to play spoiler to Drakes regular season title hopes and make the trip to Des Moines with a current overall record of 10-4-3. SIU currently is tied for fourth in the MVC standings with a record of 4-3-1 and 13 points. The Salukis could improve their standing in the MVC table to second barring certain scenarios.
In the all-time series between the Bulldogs and the Salukis, Drake is unbeaten with a record of 5-0-2. Drake won the matchup last season from Carbondale, 2-1. In games played from Des Moines, Drake owns a 2-0-1 record against SIU.
Southern Illinois Leaders
Dana Nadda l 15 PTS – 6 G – 3 A - 28 SH – 17 SOG
Sophia Schlicklin l 15 PTS – 5 G – 5 A - 31 SH – 17 SOG
Aylie Haycock l 8 PTS – 3 G – 2 A - 21 SH – 13 SOG
Nao Katamoto l 8 PTS – 2 G – 4 A - 26 SH – 15 SOG
Lily Murray l 6-1-0 W/L – 27 SV – 10 GA - .730 SV%
Reagan Miller l 4-3-3 W/L – 30 SV – 5 GA - .857 SV%
Up Next
Drake will advance to the MVC Tournament with its next game to be determined based on seeding. If Drake is the No. 3 or No. 4 seed it will play on Sunday, Nov. 2 in the quarterfinals. If the Bulldogs are the No. 1 or No. 2 seed, they will play next on Thursday, Nov. 6 in the semifinals.
