THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK WOMEN'S SOCCER… Upper Iowa (1-3, 0-1 NSIC) is set to hit the road for the first time in 2018 after starting the season with four home matches. The Peacocks will have a pair of tough NSIC games this weekend when they head north to face the undefeated Golden Bears of Concordia University, St. Paul on Sep. 14 and the #17 Minnesota State University Mavericks on Sep. 16. The women are looking to bounce back into the winning column after dropping two decisions last week.
A LOOK BACK... Haley Ramberg scored her first collegiate goal to put Upper Iowa ahead of #23 Truman State early in the game, but the Peacocks weren't able to hold on for the victory when the Warriors scored the equalizer in the 42
nd minute and the game-winner in double overtime. Despite the loss, head coach
James Price saw a lot of positives in the match as the Peacocks were able to play at a high level for so long against a team who was outscoring their opponents 8-0 and hadn't allowed a goal coming into the match.
OFFENSE FINDING IT'S STRIDE… Despite being outshot 74-27 on the season, the Peacocks hold a higher shot-on-goal percentage in a .519 to .500 advantage. UIU saw a season-high nine shots in the game against nationally ranked Truman State with seven of those on net for a .778 percentage.
Maida Alijagic leads the team in shots (6) and has been controlling the mid-field well which allows Ramberg and
Facienne Graham the chance to create scoring opportunities.
THE SERIES… UIU is 8-7 all-time with the Golden Bears after last season's 2-1 victory to wrap up the 2017 season. The Peacocks have won five of the last seven matchups and will look to stay ahead on the all-time series record. Against Minnesota State, Upper Iowa is 1-9-2 all-time and will look for its first win against the Mavericks since 2010. The Peacocks and Minnesota State have also met twice in the post-season with both games coming in Mankato, Minn. after the 2013 and 2014 seasons. UIU lost 4-1 in the second round of the NSIC Tournament in 2013, and 1-0 in the second round in 2014.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS…
vs. CONCORDIA-ST. PAUL… The Golden Bears (3-0, 0-0 NSIC) have yet to be defeated in the 2018 season as they come into the match against Upper Iowa with a perfect 3-0 record. CSP has outscored its opponents 6-1 thus far and starts the season 3-0 for the first time since 2001. Jenna Berkland leads the team with two goals but the Golden Bears have seen scores from five different athletes so far. Juniors Emily Nelson and Jordyn Clark have combined for eight saves while splitting duties behind the line.
vs. #17 MINNESOTA STATE-MANKATO… The Mavericks (2-1, 0-0 NSIC) opened the 2018 with wins over Sioux Falls (4-0) and Florida Tech (3-2) but fell to #1 Central Missouri (1-0) in their most recent contest. Julia Zach and Dakota Wendell both scored a pair of goals in the match against Sioux Falls to lead the team in the scoring column. Minnesota State has outshot its opponents 68-41.
