Men's Soccer – The Week Ahead….

THE SCHEDULE…

UPPER IOWA at TRUMAN STATE – FRIDAY – 10/26/12
Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association Match
Kirksville, Missouri – Bulldog Soccer Pitch – 3 p.m.
Live Stats

THE SERIES… This will be the ninth time in the history of the Upper Iowa program that the Peacocks will face the Truman State Bulldogs. UIU broke a five-match losing streak to the Bulldogs back in 2011 as they earned a 1-0 victory in Fayette. UIU has since lost the past two meetings between the two squads, including a 2-1 match earlier this season at Pattison Field. The Bulldogs currently hold a 7-1 record in the series, dating back to 2004.

THE MATCHUP… The Bulldogs (9-5-1, 6-2-1) enter Friday’s matchup with the Peacocks having totaled 37 goals this season, 12 of which have come from senior forward Andy Chapman. Charlie Backus has hooked up with Chapman for eight goals this season and leads the team with 14 assists. The Bulldogs have won three of their last four, with their only lost last week coming to Lindenwood University, 3-2. Truman State is 4-2 at home this year and has only lost to top-25 ranked teams at home this season. Nick Wallner and Drew Garrone split time in goal for the Bulldogs. Combined, they have 62 total saves this season.

FINISHING ON A HIGH NOTE … Last week was a tough week for the Upper Iowa Peacocks. After a close 3-2 loss to Fort Hays State on the 12th, the Peacocks dropped all three matches at home last week, two of which were in conference play. But this Friday marks UIU’s last shot at finishing the season on a high note. With a 5-12 overall record, including a 2-7 mark in the conference, the Peacocks are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. Only four teams make the MIAA Conference Tournament, so the Peacocks will have to settle for an upset victory over a playoff-bound team if they would like to finish on a high note.

FIERCE FRESHMEN… UIU has its veteran leaders, but the Peacocks have received a tremendous amount of help from their freshman class in 2012. It's not a big surprise UIU is leaning on its underclassmen after graduating ten seniors from last year's squad, but a few candidates have really stepped up for the Peacocks recently. Elgin, Illinois native Jason Bishop and Sao Paulo, Brazil native Rafael Pedroso have both recorded three goals this season for UIU, and are tied for the team lead in that category. Over the past two weeks, another freshman has been counted on in crunch time. Jared Newman has shined in practice for UIU, but has just started to see playing time on the field. His impact was felt immediately against Southern Nazarene as he scored the game-winning goal. He then added his second goal of the season in the 11th minute of the Peacocks match against Fort Hays State. It should be interesting to see how these freshmen can grow over time and produce for the Peacocks in 2013.

PASSING THE CENTURY MARK… Peacock goalkeeper Jordan Bell has had his highs and lows for the 2012 season, but when at his best, Bell has proven he can be impenetrable. At 6-foot-1, Bell's length has helped him pass the century mark for saves this season with 108 through 17 matches. Bell, who posted his third shutout of 2012 just one week ago, is first in the conference in saves, second with a 6.50 saves per match average and third with a .766 save percentage. Those numbers become more impressive when you factor in an all-freshman backline for the Peacocks and their junior keeper.

COACH'S CORNER... Head coach Brian Bahl earned his 45th victory at helm of the Upper Iowa men’s soccer program against Southern Nazarene University on October 11th. Bahl, who was hired before the 2007 season, is just 1-3 against the Bulldogs in his career.

THE FINAL STAND … Three seniors will play in their final match in the Peacock uniform on Friday afternoon in Kirksville, Missouri. Jon Kluever, Alan Martinez and Travis Willows will take the pitch not only on Friday in the final match of the regular season against Truman State, but also once more at Pattison field on Sunday afternoon. The three seniors will be honored after the conclusion of the women’s soccer match against visiting Minnesota State, Mankato. The ceremony will begin roughly around 3 p.m.