THE SCHEDULE…

UPPER IOWA at TRUMAN STATE
SUNDAY, SEPT. 8 || 2 p.m.
KIRKSVILLE, MO. || BULLDOG PITCH
NON-CONFERENCE GAME
LIVE STATS

THE SERIES… Sunday's matchup will mark the tenth time in the history of the Upper Iowa program that the Peacocks have faced the Bulldogs of Truman State. UIU broke a five-match losing streak to the Bulldogs back in 2011 defeating TSU twice that year. Yet, the Peacocks have fallen back into a hole as they have dropped the past two meetings between the squads. Both of last year's games were decided by one goal. The Bulldogs currently hold an 8-1 record in the series, dating back to 2004.

THE MATCHUP… The Bulldogs dismantled visiting Iowa Wesleyan College in the teams' regular-season opener on Friday afternoon. By halftime, TSU had a 6-0 lead and when all was said and done the Bulldogs had come away with an 11-0 victory. Seven different players scored at least one goal in the game. The 11 team goals marked the most by any Bulldog team since Oct. 3, 2004, when Truman scored a dozen against Upper Iowa. The team finished 10-6-1 last year but lost in the opening round of the MIAA Tournament to Northeastern State, 2-0.

PEACOCKS FINISH PRESEASON PLAY WITH 2-1 RECORD… The Peacocks started 2013 on a high note, as they defeated the University of Dubuque 3-1 in exhibition play back on Aug. 21. But the preseason was one of ups and downs. Three days after their matchup with UD, UIU dropped a 5-1 match to Loras College in nearby Waverly, IA. The Peacocks bounced back at home a week later as they defeated Coe College, 3-0, thanks to goals from Ryan Pinkerton, Andres Cuesta and Leandro Pena.

PRESEASON POLL... According to the Mid-America Intercollegiate Conference (MIAA) 2013 Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll, Upper Iowa University has been selected to finish sixth in the league this season. In their first year in the MIAA, the Peacocks finished fifth in the conference with a 5-13 overall record and a 2-8 conference mark. Now, under a new coaching staff, UIU will look to improve upon those numbers in year number two in the conference. Lindenwood University was picked by the league's coaches to win the MIAA. The Lions received 4 first place votes and tallied 34 points, ranking them just ahead of Northeastern State University (31), who received 2 first place votes. Fort Hays State University also received a first place vote as they ranked third with 28 points. The 2013 season gets underway on September 5, 2013 and will culminate with the MIAA men's soccer tournament to be held at the College Boulevard Activities Center on Nov. 7 & 9.

RHYS'S PIECES… Rhys Williams is a character, but he's also a tremendous soccer player. The boisterous sophomore has been solid in the preseason for UIU earning two goals and two assists in three preseason games. Head Coach Jason Carlson is counting on him to be a big contributor this year from his midfield position. Last year, as a true freshman, Williams started 15 of the 18 games he played in and added his first collegiate goal of his career on Sept. 12 against Viterbo.

CARLSON TO LEAD REVAMPED PEACOCK PROGRAM... Jason Carlson, who spent the 2012 season as the head men's soccer coach at Clarke University, was named the head coach of the Peacock men's soccer program in June. Prior to his time at Clarke, Carlson served as the assistant men's and women's soccer coach at the University of Dubuque from 2008-12. While at Dubuque, the Victorville, California native helped lead the Spartan men to a 51-23-4 overall record and four Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament berths, including a 41-14-4 overall mark from 2009-11. UD finished 7-1 in conference play in both 2009 and 2010, finishing second in 2009 and sharing the IIAC title in 2010. He also served as the Dubuque Senior High School head girls' soccer coach from 2009-11.

RETURNERS... After graduating only three seniors from last year's team, there should be some recognizable faces on the squad come 2013. Sophomores Jared Newman and Jason Bishop are two returners with high offensive expectations this year after both were named All-MIAA honorable mention selections in 2012. The freshmen duo totaled five goals and three assists last season. The Peacocks also return their starting goalkeeper senior Jordan Bell, who earned a conference-best 121 saves last year. In all, the Peacocks return 15 players from last year's team who played in at least 11 games last season.

UIU'S NEWCOMERS … Led by freshmen #Ty Johnson and Ryan Pinkerton, the 2013 newcomers have been a welcomed addition to the Peacocks this season. Johnson and Pinkerton have both found the back of the net in the preseason this year, while Pinkerton has also added an assist to his stat line. In all, there are five new additions to the UIU roster this year including, Angel Cardoso, Fausto Ordenana, Austin Westman, Ty Johnson and Ryan Pinkerton.

FOLLOW ALONG… This weekend you can follow all the Peacock action live online with the live stats links provided by Truman State University. Just click here: Live Stats.