With a second-place finish in the conference last year, the Aces (1–0) are trying to best their previous record of 10–4–3, 3–1–2 in the MVC.
They started the season with a quick 5–2 win over Wright State. Forwards Mia Tofano and Kayla Lambert both scored twice and made one assist apiece to lead the scoring attack for UE.
Goalkeeper Theresa Bagby held WSU to two goals, making six saves.
The Aces had many changeups in the rotation during the first exhibition game against Eastern Illinois and played with fewer substitutions in the contest against Western Kentucky.
“We didn’t sub a lot,” coach Krista McKendree said. “We wanted to see who the starters are and how they can handle it.”
Opponents will undoubtedly focus their attention on Lambert and Tofano. To counter this, McKendree has added more power to the offense.
“I think [McKendree is] trying to keep more defenders off me because they already see me in their scouting reports,” Lambert said.
McKendree has changed the offense to a 4–3–3 set.
“We’ve added another forward, and we’re attacking with two midfielders,” she said. “We want to create avenues for when opponents try to home in on one of them.”
Together, Lambert and Tofano accumulated 39 of 80 team points last season. The tandem shot 37 goals and had 18 assists in the last two years. Lambert only needs six points—a combination of goals and assists—to surpass former soccer standout Krissy Meek as the squad’s all-time scorer.
“I want to break that record,” she said. “It’d be a great honor.”
Asked if she would rather win the MVC Championship or break the record, Lambert chose the championship without hesitation.
“But doing that is going to require that I score goals,” she said. “So hopefully I can have both.”
Bagby also wants the team to go all the way, surpassing their MVC rivals in the tournament.
“Creighton and Drake are my personal rivals,” Bagby said, “especially Creighton. Losing on our own field for the MVC Tournament was tough.”
Bagby said the team’s fitness level and attitude are where they should be. Preseason practices and fitness testing have focused more on running than in the past.
The “breakfast club”—a series of morning conditioning practices before actual practices kicked off—gave an extra workout to those who did not pass McKendree’s fitness test.
Bagby likened McKendree’s coaching strategies to magic.
“All around, I enjoy going to practices,” she said. “[McKendree] has a way of making practices hard but fun. I’m really happy to have her. If you have too friendly of a coach, normally those teams won’t work as hard. But for us, it’s opposite. We work twice as hard for her.”
The Aces face solid competition this year as Missouri State, Creighton, ISU and UE all had at least two selections to the 12-player preseason squad.
“We have the top five teams vying for the championship,” McKendree said.
Creighton, Illinois State and UE—the top three teams in the MVC last year—look to compete for the championship once again. They were picked first, second and third in the conference’s preseason poll.
“The Valley is at the point where the level of play has increased,” McKendree said.
RECAP: The Aces ended exhibition play Saturday in a 1–1 double-overtime tie against WKU. Tofano scored off an assist from defender Kasey Kutzler.
