THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK WOMEN'S SOCCER... The Upper Iowa women's soccer team kicks off the 2016 season on the road for the second straight year with a pair of games at the SMSU Mustang Classic in Marshall, Minn. The Peacocks open up with two MIAA opponents, the Ichabods of Washburn University on Thursday, Sept. 1, and the Tigers of Fort Hays State University on Saturday, Sept. 3. UIU will be playing Washburn for the first time since moving up to NCAA Division II, while the Peacocks are 1-0 all-time against Fort Hays State.
PEACOCK RETURNERS... New Head Coach
James Price has two major holes to fill on this year's roster after the graduation of All-NSIC performers
Kaitlyn Emanuel (GK) and
Madie Edwards (F). However, Upper Iowa returns 18 of their 23 players from 2015, including junior defender
Mikayla Nassy-Wong and senior midfielder
Brianne Fenton. Both players were named as NSIC Players to Watch. Nassy-Wong returns as a steadying influence on a backline that was decimated by injuries throughout the 2015 season; she was named to the All-NSIC Honorable Mention for her efforts last season. Fenton returns to lead the offense for the Peacocks from her midfield position. A product of Crystal Lake, Ill., Fenton has played in 56 matches for UIU while starting 33 of them. Sophomore
Jordyn Ostrowski returns from her forward position as well after making 10 starts. Ostrowski recorded 34 shots last season, which was good for second on the team.
BOUNCE BACK SEASON... Upper Iowa looks to bounce back in 2016 after missing the NSIC Tournament last fall for the first time since 2009. The Peacocks finished 7-9-2 overall, and 6-8-1 in conference play. However, five of UIU's losses ended with 2-1 or 1-0 finishes. Upper Iowa looks to build off of solid defensive play in 2015, including pitching four shutouts and holding opponents to a 1.44 goals against average.
LOOKING FOR SIMILAR SUCCESS... The Peacocks look to begin their season with another victory over Fort Hays State. UIU kicked off their home slate last season with a 2-1 victory over the Tigers on Sept. 12 at Pattison Field. Upper Iowa's defensive was exceptional, with the lone goal for FHSU coming with 52 seconds left in the match.
HITTING THE CENTURY MARK... Upper Iowa is looking for their 100th win as a program since moving up to NCAA Division II. The Peacocks enter their tenth season at the Division II level, and in that time have compiled an overall record of 99-64-20, a winning percentage of .541. Over the last four seasons, UIU is 48-24-5 overall, and 39-17-4 in NSIC matches.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS...
vs. WASHBURN... The Ichabods have eight starters returning this season, four of which earned spots on All-MIAA teams. Cadece Bourne earned second team honors, Paige Swanson was third-team all conference, while Rebecca Weimer and Kaitlin Minnich were honorable mention. The Ichabods have 12 upperclassmen on this season's roster led by three experienced seniors in Bourne, Michelle Keleher and Sophia Sabala, who have seen action in 148 combined matches.
vs. FORT HAYS STATE... The Tigers were picked fourth for the second consecutive year in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll. FHSU had a solid season in 2015, going 11-8-1 overall with a fourth-place finish in the conference at 7-4. It was the second consecutive season that FHSU finished in the top third of the league after a third-place finish in 2014. Fort Hays State has a mix of veterans and newcomers as it returns 15 players from the 2015 squad.
