Men's Soccer – the Week Ahead….
 
THE SCHEDULE…

UPPER IOWA at SOUTHWEST BAPTIST UNIVERSITY – THURSDAY – 9/20/12
Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association Match
SBU Soccer Field in Bolivar,Missouri – 4 p.m.
 
UPPER IOWA at LINDENWOOD UNIVERSITY – SATURDAY – 9/22/12
Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association Match             
Hunter Stadium – St. Charles, Missouri – 6 p.m.
Live Stats
 
THE SERIES… This will be the first time in the history of UIU's program that the Peacocks will face both Southwest Baptist University and Lindenwood University. The men's soccer program became an official member of Division II before the 2005 season, but were not one of the eleven UIU athletic programs chosen to join the Northern Sun Conference prior to the 2006-07 academic year. Instead, the squad was an independent for the past six seasons before joining the MIAA.
 
THE MATCHUP… The Peacocks will travel south this Thursday as they face the Southwest Baptist Bearcats in a MIAA conference match. SBU has a 1-4 record this year and began conference play last weekend against Lindenwood University. The Lions defeated the Bearcats in that match, 3-2. SBU is led by a freshman forward named Karl Dupont who has three goals and two assists so far this season. Junior forward Kaleb Romero is second on the team with two goals.
UIU will stay in Missouri for Saturday’s contest at Lindenwood. The Lions are 4-1-1 this season, including the win over the Bearcats in MIAA play. Last Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Ouachita University marked the fourth victory in a row for the team and Lindenwood will try to keep that streak alive as they host Truman State on Thursday before taking on the Peacocks this Sunday. The Lions are led by their senior forward Azeem Razwan who has a total of three goals this year.
 
FIRST OF THE YEAR… Many Peacocks earned their first goal of the year this past week. Senior midfielder Marco Garcia’s first goal of the season was the eventual game-winner over Marshalltown CC on Sunday, while junior midfielder Troy Parker connected with the back of the net for the first time in 2012 a day earlier. Freshman defender Rhys Williams also got on the board with his first goal this past Wednesday against Viterbo. Jason Bishop and Rafael Pedroso have the two other goals for UIU this year.
 
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS… Opponents are finding it very difficult to score on junior goalkeeper Jordan Bell. The Glasgow, Scotland native has given up only ten goals in six matches this year and on Sunday he recorded his first shutout of the season. At 6-foot-1, Bell’s length has helped him earn a total of 37 saves this year. That number is good enough for a first-place tie atop the conference with SBU goalkeeper Austin Haywood. Those numbers become more impressive when you factor in a brand new backline for the Peacocks. With four freshman defenders in front of Bell, he is seeing a lot more action between the posts.
 
OFFENSIVE IMPROVEMENT… After being held scoreless for the first two matches of the season, UIU's offense has picked it up. The squad has scored at least one goal in the last four matches, including two goals in a win over Mount Mercy. The Peacocks have, however, been outshot 112-54 in a total of six matches this year. Opponents have also doubled up on UIU in goals scored, holding a 10-5 advantage. Only SBU has taken less shots this year (36) than the Peacocks.
 
SECOND HALF SPLURGE… The Peacocks have done significantly better after a halftime intermission this year. UIU has scored more goals (3 to 1) and has taken more shots (29 to 22) in the second half of matches compared to the first 90 minutes.  
 
D – FENCE… UIU’s defense has allowed only ten goals this year, which is good for a fifth-place tie in the MIAA. Lindenwood is at the top of the list, having allowed only five goals all year, while SBU ranks last, allowing 24 goals this season.
 
COACH'S CORNER... Head coach Brian Bahl earned his 42nd victory at Upper Iowa last Sunday against Marshalltown CC. Bahl, who was hired before the 2007 season, has not faced SBU or Lindenwood in his career.
 
ON THE ROAD AGAIN… After traveling to Missouri to play SBU and Lindenwood this weekend, the Peacocks will stay on the road for one more week and three more matches. UIU will travel to Mount Mercy next Wednesday, then to Harding on Friday and finish the week on the road against Northeastern State. The Peacocks will return to Pattison field on October 7th to face North Iowa Area Community College at 3 p.m.