THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK WOMEN'S SOCCER... The Upper Iowa women's soccer team will take to the pitch at Pattison Field for the first time this season, opening up the NSIC schedule with the No. 13 Winona State Warriors on Friday afternoon. The Peacocks are coming off a split last week at the SMSU Mustang Classic in Marshall, Minn., defeating Washburn 2-1 and dropping to Fort Hays State 3-0. The Peacocks are 2-8 all-time against Winona State, and are looking for their first win over the Warriors since 2013; that season was the last time Upper Iowa opened the conference schedule with a victory. Friday's match will be broadcast live on
KCRG TV 9.2.
OPENING WEEK... The Peacocks opened their 2016 season with a 2-1 victory over Washburn last week. After a defensive battle in the first half, the Peacocks converted a pair of corner kicks into goals in the second period to jump out to a 2-0 lead. Washburn responded two minutes later with a goal, but UIU's defense held on in the final minutes to preserve the 2-1 victory. With the season-opening win, Upper Iowa earned its100th win as a member of NCAA Division II. UIU dropped their final game of the SMSU Mustang Classic to Fort Hays State, 3-0. FHSU scored a pair of goals in the first half, and capped it off with a goal in the 85th minute to shutout the Peacocks.
HERE TO ASSIST YOU... Freshman
Birgit Rijnders assisted on both Upper Iowa goals in the win over Washburn. Rijnders placed two corner kicks perfectly in the match. In the 67th minute, the Belgium native sent a corner to teammate
Maggie Olson who was able to score for the first goal of the year. Four minutes later, Rijnders sent another perfect corner to
Brianne Fenton, who scored on a header to put UIU up 2-0. Fenton's goal would prove to be the game-winner.
HOME COOKING... Pattison Field has been a tough environment for road teams over the last few seasons. Since 2012, Upper Iowa is 31-7-3 at home, including a 22-6-3 record in NSIC home matches. Upper Iowa is hosting for the first time this year, and will play eight home conference matches in 2016.
NSIC PLAY... Over the last four seasons, the Peacocks have been among the conference's best when it came to league-play. Upper Iowa has won double-digits games in three of the last four conference seasons, amassing a 39-17-4 mark overall. During that span, the Peacocks have finished top three in the conference three consecutive years (2012-14) and have made an appearance in the NSIC/US Bank Tournament semi-finals in those seasons.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS...
vs. WINONA STATE... The Warriors began the season 2-0 with victories over Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan last weekend. Winona State shutout Michigan Tech 2-0 behind goals from sophomore Darian Molter and freshman Courtney Wiencek. WSU earned a 3-2 overtime victory against NMU after senior Meg Riebau snuck a rebound shot off a block into the corner to win the match. Freshman Alyssa Reynold and senior Kenzie Rose recorded goals in the second half of regulation in that match. Five different Warriors have scored this season. Winona State was picked third in the NSIC Pre-Season Coaches' Poll, receiving one vote to win the league.
