PERORIA, Ill. – Seniors Liam Priestley and Nick Burtenshaw highlight a list of eight Bears garnering postseason accolades at the 2017 Missouri Valley Conference championship awards reception here Thursday evening.

Starting every game in goal this season and recording 54 saves, Priestley was awarded MVC Goalkeeper of the Year honors and All-MVC first team distinction. The Essex,
England native marked his 10th shutout of the season and 24th of his career against Drake on Saturday and now ranks second in Missouri State history in career shutouts and third on the program's single-season shutout list. Priestley ranks as one of the top goalies in the nation this season, siting tied for third in shutouts (10), third in save percentage (0.871), sixth in goals against average (0.51) and also owns the second lowest career GAA in MSU history (0.85).

The defensive leader for the Bears, Burtenshaw was named MVC Defensive Player of the Year and also earned All-MVC first team honors. In 15 games this season, Burtenshaw has been a catalyst for the Bears on the defensive end, helping MSU's defense turn back all but eight of the 154 shots faced this season. The squad paces the conference and is forth in the nation in goals against average this season (0.51).

Also earning All-MVC first team accolades is junior forward Conor Ingram. The Oxford, England native paced the squad offensively and started every game this season. Ingram has recorded seven goals off of 20 shots and added one assist. He recorded goals in five straight matches earlier this season, becoming the first Bear in 17 years to achieve that milestone. Ingram is tied for second in the conference and 15th in the nation in game-winning goals with four. He was also named MVC Offensive player of the week two consecutive weeks on Sept. 19 and 26 for his efforts, becoming the first MSU player to earn that honor in consecutive weeks since 2009.

Checking in with All-MVC second team honors in sophomore Ben Stroud. The defender has started nine games and played 11 in 727 minutes of time this season. He has attempted five shots with two on goal. The Missouri State back line has held opponents to 0.53 goals per game and a .416 shot on goal percentage.

Notching honorable mention awards are; junior Jake Laird, senior Jordy Robins, freshman Josh Dolling and sophomore Stuart Wilkin.

Laird earns the honor after starting all 15 regular-season matches and seeing 1,319 minutes of action in the Bears midfield. The Troy, Ill. native has been a major part of the Bears midfield attack and defense. A leader who usually plays toward the middle of the action has attempted four shots this season. The hardworking Bear has been a leader on and off the field.

Earning action in all 15 regular-season matches for the Bears and starting in 11, Robins has grown in his role and made his presence felt on the field. Netting his first goal as a Bear against Tulsa (9/1) and accounting for three point this season including the goal and an assist. The midfielder has made major conurbations on the field helping set the Bears up for success.

In his first season on campus Dolling started in the final 11 matches of the season seeing action in 733 minutes. Dolling netted four goals this season including three game winners. He as attempted 21 shots with nine aimed at goal.

Wilkin started in 14 matches this season seeing play for 980 minutes. The Woking, Surrey, England native leads the squad with three assists, two that came against Valparaiso (10/24). The midfielder has marked 17 shot attempts this season with six on goal.

Missouri State was also tabbed with the honor of the Valley's Fair Play Award, which is structured after the FIFA Fair Play honor. It is awarded to the Valley squad that has the fewest penalty cards during all MVC matches, as the Bears tallied just five penalty cards in regular-season league action.

The No. 1 seeded Bears take on Evansville Friday in a semifinal matchup slated for 3 p.m. on ESPN3. Live stats, as well as live updates, will be available for the contest.

The winner of the match will advance to the championship on Sunday, Nov. 12, to play the winner of Central Arkansas and Bradley. For all of the latest information on the Missouri State men's soccer team, visit missouristatebears.com or follow @MSUBearsMSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.