THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK MEN'S SOCCER... The Upper Iowa men's soccer team will wrap up a brief three-game home stand on Saturday afternoon at Pattison Field in Fayette. The Peacocks will host the Lions of Lindenwood University at 12 p.m. The match will be available online as well as broadcast on KCRG TV 9.2. UIU is coming off a split over the weekend against Southwest Baptist and Northeastern State, and currently holds a 3-5 overall record (1-1 MIAA). Upper Iowa split with the Lions last season, including a 2-1 victory in St. Charles, Mo. last October. That win for the Peacocks was their first ever against Lindenwood, and UIU now trails the overall series 1-7-1 all-time.
PEACOCKS EARN MIAA SPLIT LAST WEEKEND... Upper Iowa split two matches last weekend at Pattison Field. The Peacocks shutout Southwest Baptist 2-0 on Friday before dropping to Northeastern State 2-1 in overtime on Sunday. UIU was able to control the ball well, scoring once in each half to close out the Bearcats. Northeastern State tied the match 1-1 just before halftime, and then in the first overtime period, earned a corner kick and took advantage to complete the comeback against the Peacocks. Upper Iowa's loss snapped a two-game winning streak, both shutout victories.
Connor Rortvedt earned 13 saves over the weekend in 189 minutes in goal.
CAPTAIN ORDENANA... Senior captain
Fausto Ordenana has been on a roll to begin MIAA play. The midfielder has scored in consecutive games, and is making an impact in the league so far. Ordenana is second in the league in goals scored (2 in MIAA games) and points (4). The Spain native is fourth in league play with seven shot attempts, and looks to continue that success on Saturday. The captain has been one of the leaders on the team after missing most of last season with an injury, and will bring his two-match scoring streak into play against Lindenwood.
TWICE IS NICE... The Peacocks (3-5 overall) have scored at least two goals in all three of their victories this season. On the other side, of their five losses, two have come in overtime (one in double OT) and have ended in 2-1 final scores. Every time Upper Iowa has scored at least twice, they have won the match. If the Peacocks can match that total, they give themselves a chance to win, thanks to their defensive play from their backline.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT...
vs. LINDENWOOD... The Lions are riding a six-game winning streak after defeating Missouri S&T 3-2 in a non-conference match on Wednesday evening. Lindenwood comes in with an overall record of 6-2-2 and a 2-0 mark in MIAA play. LU is receiving votes in the NSCAA Coaches Top 25 poll, and has been a nationally ranked team in past weeks. Lindenwood is led by Xhovani Dokaj, who was scored 10 goals on the year, leading the MIAA in that category.
