THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK WOMEN'S SOCCER... Upper Iowa (0-2-1, 0-0-1 NSIC) heads north this weekend for a pair of Northern Sun Conference matchups in northern Minnesota. The Peacocks battle the Bemidji State University Beavers on Saturday, Sept. 16 in Bemidji, Minn. at 1 p.m., and then will head west to Crookston, Minn. for a date with the UM Crookston Golden Eagles on Sunday, Sept. 17 at 1 p.m.
 

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STALEMATE WITH WARRIORS... Upper Iowa matched up with the Winona State Warriors last Thursday night in Winona, Minn., and the wild game ended in a scoreless tie to open the NSIC season. Upper Iowa was outshot 21-9 in the game, but the defense was strong enough to keep the home team from scoring. UIU was unable to score themselves, but for 110 minutes they went toe-to-toe defensively to preserve the tie. It was the first tie for the Peacocks in two seasons, when they tied Augustana University in Fayette on Sept. 19, 2015.

THE SERIES... The Peacocks will take a 5-8 all-time record to Bemidji State, and will look to avenge losses from each of the last two seasons. UIU dropped a 1-0 decision on Senior Day two years ago in Fayette, and lost 1-0 at home last year as well. Upper Iowa is 2-2-1 all-time against UMC, including two straight home losses to the Golden Eagles. UIU dropped a 2-0 decision two years ago in Fayette, and lost 1-0 last season at Pattison Field.

DEFENSE HOLDING UP... UIU has not scored on offense yet this season, but defensively they are giving themselves chances to stay in games. Despite being outshot 45-20 on the year, Upper Iowa has only allowed four goals on the season, for a percentage of just .089. Goalkeeper Caila Petrie and the backline are holding strong, tallying 21 saves on the season, for an average of seven saves per game.
 

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ABOUT THE OPPONENTS...

vs. BEMIDJI STATE... The Beavers (3-0, 1-0 NSIC) opened the season with three straght road wins, including a win over Minnesota Crookston to open the year. BSU defender, Miranda Famestad, has been selected as NSIC Defensive Player of the Week for her role in the strong start. Famestad anchored a BSU backline that held its opponents without a goal through 270 minutes of play this season, propelling the Beavers to a 3-0 start. The BSU defense has surrendered 14 shots through three games and just four shots on goal. Famestad has played in a team-high 242 of 270 minutes of action and started all three matches.

vs. MINNESOTA CROOKSTON... The Golden Eagles (0-3) have had a long wait in between matches this season, as they have not played a game since Sept. 5. UM Crookston had a game scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 9 against Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla., but the game had to be cancelled due to Hurrican Irma's impending impact on the state of Florida. Jessica Scott leads the Golden Eagles this season, as she is the only player to score on the year.