Men's Soccer – the Week Ahead….
 
THE SCHEDULE…
 
UPPER IOWA at MOUNT MERCY UNIVERSITY – WEDNESDAY – 9/26/12
Lower Kingston Field in Cedar Rapids, Iowa – 5 p.m.
Live Stats
Live Video
 
THE SERIES… The Peacocks have faced the Mustangs seven times over the past half decade. UIU is 4-2-1 against Mount Mercy including a victory at home in double-overtime earlier this year. Senior midfielder Marco Garcia found freshman forward Jason Bishop just fifteen seconds into the second extra -time period. Bishop connected with the back of the net to give the Peacocks a 2-1 victory and was carried off the field on his teammates' shoulders.  
 
THE MATCHUP… The Mustangs enter Wednesday’s match with a 5-4-1 record, including a 1-0 record in the Midwest Collegiate Conference. Mount Mercy recently defeated William Penn University on the road, 2-0, to earn its first conference victory. Junior midfielders Juan Maffey and Veselin Karagyuarov lead the team in scoring with four goals apiece this year. Forward Sid Beck isn’t far behind with three goals. Senior Enrique Cortina has a team-high three assists. Sophomore goalkeepers Vucko Velickovic and Harrison Burgess split time in goal for the Mustangs, and together, they have 31 saves in 2012.
 
MARTINEZ MAGIC… Senior forward Alan Martinez scored his first goal of the season last Thursday in the 78th minute against Southwest Baptist University. The goal helped the Peacocks earn their first MIAA victory, 3-2. . It was inspiring to see Martinez get on the board for the first time this year after battling through some season-ending injuries in the past.
 
BISHOP TO GAME-WINNER… In the previous matchup between these two teams back on September 5th, Upper Iowa led Mount Mercy 1-0 with just 15 minutes left, but nearly had a meltdown. The Mustangs tied the match with just over ten minutes remaining in regulation and it took one full overtime period and fifteen seconds of the second overtime before the 19-year old Bishop scored the game-winning goal and his first goal of his young college career. The 2-1 victory was UIU’s first of the young 2012 season and it came off the foot of a newcomer. 
 
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 13 goals in seven matches this year. At 6-foot-1, Bell’s length has helped him earn a total of 45 saves this year. That number is good enough for a first-place spot atop the MIAA conference. Bell is also first in saves per match (6.43) and in second place with a .776 save percentage. Those numbers become more impressive when you factor in a brand new backline for the Peacocks. With four freshman defenders in front of him, Bell is seeing a lot more action between the posts.
 
JUST OFFENSIVE … UIU has struggled to score this season, having been shutout three times, including last Saturday’s match against Lindenwood. The Peacocks have been outshot 141-73 this year. UIU attempted their second-lowest shot total against the Lions, managing just three shots. Back on September 2nd, the Peacocks attempted only two shots against Regis University in a 2-0 loss. UIU is tied for last in the MIAA in two important statistics: shots and goals. The Peacocks can look forward to this match against the Mustangs because they scored a season-high two goals against them in the previous matchup in Fayette.
  
A TRUE ASSIST-ANT… Senior forward Dan Rasmussen and junior forward Alejandro Castaneda are tied for sixth place in the MIAA with two assists each this season. 
 
COACH'S CORNER... Head coach Brian Bahl earned his 43rd victory at helm of the Upper Iowa men’s soccer team last Thursday against Southwest Baptist University. Bahl, who was hired before the 2007 season, has a 3-2-1 record against the Mustangs.
 
ON THE ROAD AGAIN… After being on the road last week for two matches, UIU will continue its season away from home this week against Mount Mercy (9/26), Harding University (9/28) and Northeastern State University (9/30). The Peacocks will return to Pattison field on October 7th to face North Iowa Area Community College at 3 p.m.