ITTA BENA -- The Mississippi Valley State soccer team will begin a five-game homestand on Sunday when the Devilettes host the newest member of the SWAC, Howard University.

MVSU and the Lady Bison are scheduled to play at 1 p.m. Sunday as the Devilettes return from a nine-day off period. Valley last played Sept. 19 when they fell short, 3-1, in a tough battle at Louisiana-Monroe.

Sunday's game will be the first of five straight home games for MVSU, who will face Jackson State on Oct. 3 and Southern University on Oct. 5. Then, the Devilettes will celebrate Family Weekend while hosting Texas Southern on Oct. 10 and Prairie View A&M on Oct. 12.

Now that Valley finally has its entire team on campus and ready to play, the Devilettes should give Howard some stiff competition. Last game, against La.-Monroe, Rita Gyasi collected 14 saves in her first game as a Devilette. Meanwhile, All-SWAC selection Nykosi Simmons scored her first goal of the season.

Howard has a 0-7-1 record but will get an opportunity to earn its first win of the season today at Alcorn State.