THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK MEN'S SOCCER... The Upper Iowa men's soccer team will wrap up the 2017 season this weekend at Pattison Field in Fayette as they host a pair of MIAA matches. The Peacocks will host the No. 25 RiverHawks of Northeastern State University on Friday, Nov. 3 at 1 p.m. before squaring off with the Bearcats of Southwest Baptist University on Sunday, Nov. 5 at 12 p.m. Upper Iowa is in search of its first MIAA win this season heading into the final weekend, and after the game Sunday, will honor its six seniors for their contributions to the program. Both games will be available online on UIU TV, and can be seen in eastern Iowa on KCRG TV 9.2.
THE SERIES... Upper Iowa trails the all-time series 7-3 against Northeastern State, with the RiverHawks picking up a 3-0 win over UIU earlier this season. The teams split two games in 2016, as UIU dropped a 2-1 overtime decision to NSU in Fayette, but rebounded with a road win in October 2016, 2-0, to even the season series. The Peacocks have had success against Southwest Baptist over the years, leading the all-time series 7-2-1. However, the Bearcats ended a long drought with a 2-0 win over Upper Iowa earlier this year in Missouri. UIU picked up a pair of shutouts against the Bearcats in 2016, winning 2-0 at Pattison Field before picking up a 1-0, double-overtime victory in Bolivar.
PEACOCKS SINK MARAUDERS... The Peacock offense found a way to heat up on a cold, rainy day at Pattison Field on Monday in a 4-1 win over the University of Mary. Upper Iowa was deadlocked with the Marauders for the first 59 minutes, but all of a sudden the offenses broke out. UIU scored four times in a 27-minute span, and dominated for a 4-1 victory. Ruairidh Crawford scored twice, while
Aaron Morgan and
Tim Brackett each added their first goals of the season. Morgan also picked up a pair of assists as well. Despite UMary leading in shot attempts, 21-16, it was UIU who was efficient with their chances to earn the win.
300-PLATEAU... Senior goalkeeper
Connor Rortvedt has been continuing to tally saves this season in net for the Peacocks. The Verona, Wis. native has now 311 saves for his career, which ranks third all-time in program history. The goalkeeper has picked up a total of 83 saves this season, which leads the MIAA and is ranked 25th nationally. His 5.54 saves per game ranks second in the league and 23rd in the country. This season's total is a new career-best, shattering his 76 mark from 2014.
SENIOR SAYONARA... UIU will honor their six seniors on Sunday for their contributions to the program over the last four years. Rortvedt, Crawford, Brackett,
Ryan Crabtree, Fausto Ordenana, and
Logan Dahnert have all been a part of major success for the program over the years. As a group they have compiled 37 wins, including 16 in the MIAA. The group was a part of a 2015 season that included a 13-win season with the school's first-ever MIAA championship. UIU also earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament, making the Central Region Championship Game, and falling just one win shy of the Elite Eight. The six have combined for 20 goals, 144 shots, and six game-winners.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS...
vs. #25 NORTHEASTERN STATE... The RiverHawks (12-4, 5-1 MIAA) are ranked 25th nationally and more importantly are ranked as the top team in the Central Region going into the final weekend. Three first-half goals last week over Delta State propelled them to a win on Senior Night as they earned their ninth consecutive home win to set a new program-record. Joe Garcia leads the team with 12 goals scored this season.
vs. SOUTHWEST BAPTIST... The Bearcats (1-14, 1-5 MIAA) are coming off a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Delta State University on Oct. 26. SBU plays at Lindenwood on Friday, and closes the season at Upper Iowa Sunday. Southwest Baptist is led by Daniel Santibanez, who has scored three times in 2017.
