Picked in August as the team to beat in the Missouri Valley Conference, the University of Evansville would sure like to make the predictions come true.  The Aces' first MVC match takes place Saturday night when UE takes on defending MVC Tournament champion Drake at 7:00 CDT at DU's Cownie Soccer Complex.  That's where the Aces and Bulldogs battled for a berth in the NCAA Tournament last November, with Drake edging out the Aces 2-1 in the MVC Tournament championship match.

Both teams come into their first league match at 4-5-1 overall, and both have experienced most of their success at home.  The Bulldogs are 3-0-1 in Des Moines while Evansville is 3-1-1 at McCutchan Stadium.

Drake is coming off a 1-0-1 week, including a 1-1 double-overtime tie against ninth ranked UC Irvine and  a 3-2 victory over 2009 NCAA Tournament team Western Illinois.  The Aces are trying to shake the effects of a five-match winless streak, including narrow losses to nationally ranked Indiana (1-0) and Butler (2-1).  Evansville has outscored the opposition 21-12, but the the Aces have been limited to three goals in their last five matches.  Senior Mike Luttrull continues to lead the Aces in scoring with five goals and two assists for 12 points.  Tom Irvin (2-3-7) and Gavin Chura (2-3-7) are tied for second, although Evansville will be without Irvin on Saturday since he was issued a second yellow card in Tuesday's contest at Butler.