Women's Soccer 10/26/2022 4:05:00 PM

Women's Soccer Set to Face Northern Iowa in MVC Tournament

First-Round Match Thursday at UIC

CHICAGO - - Belmont University women's soccer is heading to the Missouri Valley Conference postseason tournament in its inaugural MVC season. The No. 7 seed Bruins will play sixth-seeded Northern Iowa Thursday at 2 p.m. CT from Flames Field at UIC.

Belmont and Northern Iowa played to a scoreless draw Sunday in Cedar Falls.

Head Coach Heather Henson enters her seventh conference tournament in her twelve years at Belmont. In 2019 Henson brought the Bruins to the NCAA Tournament to face UNC after clinching the Ohio Valley Conference title. Many veterans on the Bruins were a part of the 2019 team and are craving the same fate.

The Bruins finished out the regular season 5-5-6 in the regular season while 3-4-3 in conference to claim the seventh seed. In conference Belmont posted wins over Murray State, Illinois State, and Evansville. The Bruins earned draws against Indiana State, UIC, and Northern Iowa.

Both Anna Sweeney and Leah Firsdon posted double scoring matches in conference play. Sweeney's came in the 3-1 victory over Murray State while Firsdon posted both goals in the 2-1 win over Evansville. Sweeney, Firsdon, and Maci Pekmezian each have three goals to their name on the season.

Belmont's defense has been unstoppable all season with eight total shutouts. The Bruins save percentage has remained in the top 25 for the majority of the season. Goalkeeper Sarah Doyle has 71 seasons with her game high of nine against Murray State. Doyle's save percentage leads the conference at .855.

Loren House, Claire Fallon, and Avery Nowak head the Bruins with over 1300 minutes each starting in every match.

Belmont finished out the regular season against UNI with a 0-0 draw in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Doyle posted four saves against the Panthers offense to secure the shutout. UNI received the sixth place seed in conference standings for a 5-5-7 record on the season and 2-2-6 in the MVC. Lauren Heinsch heads the Panthers in goals at 5. Goalkeeper Caitlin Richards posted a .763 save percentage on the season with 61 saves.

The match will be broadcast on ESPN+.

The winner of the match will play UIC on Sunday.

Follow Belmont women's soccer on social media - @BelmontWSoccer on Twitter and @belmont.wsoccer on Instagram - for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
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Players Mentioned

#0 Sarah Doyle: GK; 5' 5"; Senior; Florida Krush Kraze

#11 Claire Fallon: D/F; 5' 5"; Senior; Tennessee Soccer Club

#12 Leah Firsdon: F; 5' 4"; Sophomore; Ohio Galaxies FC

#18 Loren House: D; 5' 7"; Senior; Concorde Fire ECNL

#3 Avery Nowak: MF; 5' 4"; Senior; Florida Krush Kraze

#14 Maci Pekmezian: F/MF; 5' 5"; Junior; 2002 FKK ECNL

#10 Anna Sweeney: F; 5' 7"; Junior; Ohio Galaxies FC

Players Mentioned

#0 Sarah Doyle
: 5' 5"; Senior; Florida Krush Kraze
: GK

#11 Claire Fallon
: 5' 5"; Senior; Tennessee Soccer Club
: D/F

#12 Leah Firsdon
: 5' 4"; Sophomore; Ohio Galaxies FC
: F

#18 Loren House
: 5' 7"; Senior; Concorde Fire ECNL
: D

#3 Avery Nowak
: 5' 4"; Senior; Florida Krush Kraze
: MF

#14 Maci Pekmezian
: 5' 5"; Junior; 2002 FKK ECNL
: F/MF

#10 Anna Sweeney
: 5' 7"; Junior; Ohio Galaxies FC
: F