MVC Release

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Seven Missouri State men's soccer athletes garnered postseason accolades at the 2018 Missouri Valley Conference championship awards reception here Thursday evening.

With a breakout sophomore season, Josh Dolling earns All-MVC first team accolades. The Liverpool, United Kingdom native paced the Bears and the MVC offensively, starting in all but one game this season. Dolling has scored 10 goals off of 45 shots and added three assists. He recorded the first hat trick in 13 years against Santa Clara (Sept. 11), capping off the match with the game winner at the 102-minute of double overtime. Dolling also adds five game winners this season, sitting second in school history for a single season, while also recording goals in five straight matches between Aug. 31 and Sept. 22.

Receiving All-MVC second team honors; junior Kyle Hiebert, sophomore Dylan De Jong and junior Ben Stroud.

As the anchor of the Bears strong defensive line, Hiebert led the Bears to another impressive defensive season. He has started in all 16 matches for Missouri State, playing in all but 45 of the available minutes. The La Salle, Manitoba, Canada native has been key in the Bears' defense, recording a .69 goals-against-average, which is the eighth lowest GAA in the nation. The team captain also adds an assist and nine shot attempts.

De Jong, another major contributor to the Bears defense, has started all 16 matches, playing in 1,466 minutes. De Jong has racked up five points on the season, tied for third on the team, with one goal and three assists. The Auckland, New Zealand native has helped hold opponents to a .081 shot percentage and the nation's top-10 goals-against-average (.69).

Two time second team honoree, Stroud is another source of the Bears top notch defensive effort. Stroud has played in 15 games this season for the Bears and has added one assist. The New Zealand defender has been a brick wall in the back line, helping the Bears to an opponent .430 shot-on-goal percentage this season.

Earning honorable mention accolades; seniors Conor Ingram, Jake Buckle and Jake Laird.

Ingram checks in as the second leading scorer on the team, scoring three goals and adding four assists on the season. The senior has started every game this season, racking up 1,318 minutes through 16 matches. Ingram has attempted 28 shots with 11 on goal this season.

Buckle earns honorable mention honors after an impressive midfielder season. The Bear from North Yorkshire has started in 15 matches this season, playing 1,102 minutes. Buckle recorded a goal in the season opener against UMKC and adds two assists.

Laird is also a strong presence in the Bears midfield, starting all 15 matches this season, playing in all but 26 minutes. The hardworking nature of the Troy, Ill., native sets him apart in the Bears middle line and serves as a key component of the Bears success this season. Laird also adds one assist on the year.

The No. 4 seeded Bears will take on top-seeded Central Arkansas Friday in a semifinal matchup slated for 6 p.m. on ESPN+. 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. 11, to play the winner of Loyola and Drake. For all of the latest information on the Missouri State men's soccer team, visit missouristatebears.com or follow @MSUBearsMSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.