The Missouri Valley College women’s soccer team secured at least a share of the Heart of America Athletic Conference title after a 3-0 victory over Baker on Wednesday, Oct. 23 in Baldwin City. It’s the first conference title for the program in 31 years.

Ashley Arribas netted a brace for the 18th-ranked Vikings, her first coming off a corner kick in the 12th minute, followed by a shot in the 69th minute set up by Carla Carmona. Malene Flores added a goal in the 46th minute, while keeper Marina Barbara Bujalance was tested only once in the game by Baker, saving their lone shot attempt on goal in the 80th minute. The Vikings are 12-3-1 overall, including a 9-0-1 mark in Heart action.

The men’s squad saw their fifth-in-the-nation ranking tested early when Baker went on the board less than three minutes into their contest with a goal from Reilly Marlow-Jones. The Wildcats continued pressuring the Vikings, with goalkeeper Cristobal Benitez Delgado needing to make three saves in the first 18 minutes. However, the Vikings would overcome the pressure and equalize in the 29th minute with Tate Richards setting up Malik Hasanovic’s shot over the Baker keeper. Sam Green netted the winner with a free kick he sailed just over a defensive wall and into goal in the 58th minute, to make the final score 2-1 in favor of the Vikings.

Missouri Valley men’s soccer remains undefeated in conference play with an 8-0-1 mark and an overall record of 12-1-2. Both Viking squads are in Lamoni, Iowa this Saturday to face Graceland, with the women’s game at 5 p.m. and the men following at 7:30 p.m.