Missouri State Bears’ junior goalkeeper Alex Riggs was named Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Riggs has eight shutouts, a 0.69 GAA and has only given up 12 goals this season.

Riggs was also named to the All-MVC first team. Joining him on the first team was senior defender Johannes Demarzi. Demarzi recorded a league-leading 10 assists this season. He is fifth in the country in assists, all while playing the back line for the Bears.

Head coach Jon Leamy and his staff were named Missouri Valley Conference Coaching Staff of the Year. Along with associate head coach Michael Seabolt and assistant coach David Stockton, Leamy led the Bears to their first regular season conference title since 1999. The Bears’ 12 wins this season are the most since the 12 victories in 2005.

Missouri State will face Evansville at 3:30 p.m. on Friday in Des Moines. The league’s championship match will be played Sunday, Nov. 15 at 1:00 p.m. Creighton and Drake play in the other semifinal.