THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK WOMEN'S SOCCER... The Upper Iowa women's soccer team will continue their path through the Northern Sun Conference this weekend with a pair of matchups. The Peacocks will head west to Sioux Falls, S.D. to match up with the Vikings of Augustana University on Friday, Sept. 23 before coming back to Pattison Field in Fayette to meet the Wildcats of Wayne State College on Sunday, Sept. 25. UIU is looking for continued success against both squads, with an all-time record of 5-2-2 against the Vikings and a record of 8-1-3 against the Wildcats. Upper Iowa tied Augustana (1-1) and defeated Wayne State (3-2) last season in Fayette.
 
PEACOCKS HELD SCORELESS IN HOMESTAND... Upper Iowa dropped a pair of NSIC matches last weekend to the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles and the Bemidji State Beavers, both by a 1-0 score. UMC and BSU both used an early goal to steal the lead and held on despite an overwhelming disparity in shots for one-goal victories. The Peacocks outshot their opponents 39-18 over the weekend, but could not find a way to put the ball in the net. UIU will look for similar success in ball control this weekend, and are looking for their first goal since Sept. 9 against then-ranked No. 13 Winona State.

STOUT DEFENSE... The Peacocks have surrendered just six goals this season, including just two in their first three NSIC matches. Upper Iowa is second in the conference in opponent scoring average (0.67) and save percentage (.875). UIU is led by junior goalkeeper Caila Petrie, who is sixth in the league with 14 saves against NSIC opposition. Petrie and the rest of the Peacock backline have given Upper Iowa a chance in each game, surrendering no more than one goal in 4 of the first 5 matches this season.

GETTING ON THE BOARD... Upper Iowa is averaging two goals per game in their wins, but have been shutout in each of their three losses this season. The Peacocks posted a 2-1 victory against Washburn to open the season, and defeated No. 13 Winona State 2-0 in the conferene opener. UIU will look to score early and often this weekend against Augustana and Wayne State. Brianne Fenton leads the team with two goals, while Maggie Olson and Birgit Rijnders have each tallied one goal.
 

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ABOUT THE OPPONENTS...

vs. AUGUSTANA... The Vikings spent the first three weeks of the season on the road, and will bring a record of 2-3-1 (1-1-1 NSIC) into their home opener. Augustana fell to now No. 16 Minot State 3-0 last Saturday, before using a strong second half to upend U-Mary 4-1 on Sunday. Samantha Tymkowicz paces Augie with three goals on the season.

vs. WAYNE STATE... The Wildcats are ranked ninth in the latest NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches Association of America) Division II Central Region poll and currently hold a 4-1-1 overall record (1-1-1 NSIC). WSC is coming off a split last week in North Dakota against U-Mary and Minot State. Wayne State defeated the Marauders 1-0 before dropping a 2-1 decision to the Beavers. Caryus Hund leads the team with three goals in 2016.