Women’s Soccer Faces Valparaiso in MVC Tournament

 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University women's soccer (3-8-7, 2-3-5) plays in the opening round of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, on Thursday against #6 Valparaiso (7-5-6, 3-3-4 MVC).
 
The Bruins begin their postseason journey in Cedar Falls, Iowa, on the campus of Northern Iowa. Kickoff from the UNI Soccer Field is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT. The match will be available to stream on ESPN+. Live stats are available at belmontbruins.com. Fans who plan to attend the match are encouraged to purchase tickets online.
 
Belmont ended the regular season with a 3-2 loss to the 2022 MVC Regular Season Champion Drake Bulldogs. Valparaiso lost to UIC in their last match, 1-0. The Bruins and Beacons prepare for their second meeting of the season Sunday afternoon. Belmont picked up their second conference road win of the season on Oct. 15 against Valparaiso, 2-0.
 
What's Bruin

• Belmont enters the MVC Tournament as the seven-seed.
• After going 0-1-4 in their first five conference matches, Belmont ended the second half of league play with a 2-2-1 record.
• Belmont qualified for the MVC Tournament in back-to-back seasons.
• Belmont has scored two goals in consecutive matches for the first time since the 2019 OVC Tournament. Belmont scored three goals against UT-Martin on Nov. 3, 2019, and two goals against Murray State on Nov. 8, 2019.
• Kelsey Cameron is only the second coach in program history to lead the Bruins to the postseason tournament.
• Belmont's 3-2 to Drake was the first time in six seasons the Bruins lost a match they scored two or more goals in.
• Maci Pekmezian leads the Bruins in goals (6), points (13), and shots (21).
• Pekmezian ranks eighth in the MVC in goals. Four of her six goals came during conference play, which is ranks third in the MVC.
• Avery Nowak leads the team in assists (4), which is tied for seventh in the MVC.
• Sarah Doyle's 104 saves this season ranks first in the MVC. The next closest goalkeeper in the league is Indiana State's Maddie Alexander with 80. Doyle also leads the conference in saves per game (5.78) and third in save percentage (.825).
• Doyle ranks seventh in the nation in saves and 19^th in saves per game.

 
Scouting the Beacons

• Addy Joiner leads the Beacons in goals (17), points (17), and shots (35).
• Valparaiso has been shut out in two of their three conference losses. Both losses have come in the last three matches (Oct. 15 vs. Belmont and Oct. 22 vs. UIC).
• Four Beacons, who received Preseason MVC honors, played critical roles in helping Valparaiso reach the postseason. Nicole Norfolk, Lindsey DuSatko, and Nikki Coryell were tabbed as First Team All-MVC. Joiner was named an Honorable Mention. 

Matchup History

• Belmont is 3-5 all-time against Valparaiso.
• Belmont is 2-1 in the last three meetings, including this year's 2-0 victory.
• The last time Belmont advanced past the first round in the conference tournament was during the 2020-21 COVID-19 season. Belmont defeated SIUE in penalty kicks on Apr. 2, 2021.

Up Next
 
If Belmont advances to the second round, the Bruins will face #3 UNI on Sunday, Oct. 29, at 1 p.m. CT.
 
Twitter, @belmontwsoccer on Instagram and @belmontWsoccer on Facebook - 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.