Toledo, Ohio - The Toledo women's soccer team (0-1-1) hits the road this weekend for matches against Valparaiso (1-0-1) and the University of Illinois at Chicago (0-2-0).The Rockets take on the Crusaders this Friday at 7:30 p.m. CST before traveling to Chicago for a 1:00 CST match against the Flames on Sunday.
 
Toledo is coming off its first two matches of the regular-season. UT fell 2-1 at Xavier on Friday, and drew a 1-1 tie at Wright State on Sunday. The Rockets were led by senior captain Hannah Scafaria who scored both of Toledo's weekend goals.
 
Last time against Valparaiso
Toledo last met Valparaiso during the 2017 season when the Rockets shutout the Crusaders 2-0. Toledo got an early lead thanks to Alena Sidwell's 22nd-minute goal off an assist from Scafaria. The Rockets closed out the match thanks to a 53rd-minute goal from Scafaria. Madison Perrin stood in goal for UT, recording six saves through 90 minutes. Toledo recorded 10 shots (six on goal) to Valparaiso's nine (six on goal).
 
Scouting Valparaiso
The Crusaders are coming off of a 9-10-0 (3-4-0 Missouri Valley Conference) record in 2017. Valparaiso registered a 2-1 win last weekend over Green Bay, and a 0-0 double-overtime stalemate with Eastern Illinois. Against Green Bay, the Crusaders conceded a goal in the 48th minute but leveled things in the 62nd after a Phoenix defender headed in an own-goal. Redshirt junior Ava Porlier scored the match-winning goal against Green Bay in the 83rd minute off a slotted through ball from midfield to clinch the win. On Sunday, the Crusaders' backline allowed just two shots through, which senior goalkeeper Drew Moulton easily dealt with. The offense never got through though and the match ended in a tie.
 
Last time against UIC
This is the first meeting between the Rockets and the Flames.
 
Scouting UIC
The Flames are coming off a 7-13-0 (5-4-0 Horizon League) record in 2017. UIC opened the 2018 season at the UNLV Invitational that saw them drop contests against both UNLV and UC Santa Barbara. UIC's first lost was a 5-1 defeat on Friday where freshman Megan Bowman recorded the Flame's lone goal. Sunday saw the Gauchos sweep UIC 7-0.
 
Watch Live
Toledo's match against Valparaiso will be streamed live online via ESPN+. Fans are advised that a paid subscription to the platform is necessary to watch the match.
 
Preseason Poll
The defending MAC Champion Rockets were picked to finish sixth in the conference as decided by the preseason coaches poll. Kent State is heavily favored to sweep the conference this season. A full breakdown of this year's voting can be seen below.
 
2018 MAC Preseason Poll
1. Kent State – 134 (8)
2. Ball State – 119 (1)
3. Bowling Green – 114 (2)
4. Buffalo - 111
5. Central Michigan - 81
6. Toledo - 74
7. Eastern Michigan - 70
8. Ohio - 65
9. Western Michigan - 58
T10. Akron – 40 (1)
T10. Northern Illinois - 40
12. Miami – 30
 
(First place votes to claim regular-season title)
 
Tournament Champion: Kent State (6), Buffalo (1), Ball State (1), Bowling Green (1), Central Michigan (1), Toledo (1), Western Michigan (1)
 
(First place votes to win MAC Championship title)