By: Zach Carlyle, Sports Communication Graduate Assistant
THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK MEN'S SOCCER... The No. 16 Upper Iowa men's soccer team continues their six-game road trip this weekend as they open up MIAA play in St. Charles, Mo. against the Lions of Lindenwood University. The match gets underway at 1:30 p.m. at Harlen C. Hunter Stadium. UIU is coming off a split in Bismarck, N.D. last week, and will look to begin another winning streak. Lindenwood picked up two wins against Upper Iowa last season, but UIU earned a split in 2015, including their first-ever win agains tthe Lions. The Peacocks now trail the overall series 1-9-1 all-time.
NORTH DAKOTA RECAP... The Peacocks split a pair of non-conference games in Bismarck, N.D. against Montana State-Billings and the University of Mary. In a double-overtime thriller, UIU dropped to MSUB, 2-1, after trailing early in the match. Upper Iowa came back to tie the game just as time was running out in regulation to send the game to overtime, but after a scoreless first overtime, MSUB scored three minutes into the second extra frame to win the match. The Peacocks responded on Monday with a 2-1 victory over the U-Mary Marauders to wrap up the extended weekend. UIU scored with 15 minutes remaining in the match to pull out the win. Despite trailing in shot attempts 15-13, the team was able to prevail to get their fourth win.
DOWN FOUR SPOTS... Upper Iowa is currently ranked No. 16 in the country, dropping down four spots from last week. The Peacocks (4-1) are still in great shape heading into the MIAA season, and lead in the standings by 1.5 games over Lindenwood overall. This weekend marks the start of the conference season for all five MIAA schools.
STILL ON POINT... The Peacock defense has been the story of the season so far in 2017. Despite allowing two goals to MSU-Billings, Upper Iowa has still allowed just five goals in 73 shot attempts, good for just a .068 shooting percentage. The backline of defense along with goalkeeper
Connor Rortvedt has faced 39 shots placed on goal. Rortvedt has benefited in the net as well, as the senior has totaled 34 saves on the year, including two big ones in overtime against Northern Michigan. UIU is being outshot 73-60 on the year, but have won four of their five matches.
SENIOR SAVVY... Senior Ruairidh Crawford leads the team with three goals scored this season. The Peacocks as a team have seen eight different players score a goal on the season, and Crawford has been right in the middle of it. The West Linton, Scotland native has also added an assist for seven total points on the year. Crawford has scored two game-winners this season, at home against Lewis on Sept. 3, and last Monday at U-Mary.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT...
vs. LINDENWOOD... The Lions (2-3) are coming off a 3-1 victory over Ouachita Baptist, who was receiving votes in the top 25 in the country. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the team, and will look to build a winning streak for the first time this season. LU is led by Michele Ganz, who is a two-time MIAA Athlete of the Week this year. Ganz leads the way with three goals scored.
