THIS WEEKEND IN PEACOCKS MEN'S SOCCER… After a two-game road trip the Peacocks will return to Fayette for their final two home matches of the 2019 season. Upper Iowa will first take on Northwood University on Nov.1 at 2:30 p.m. The Peacocks will then celebrate their annual senior day on Nov.3 at 2 p.m. versus Saginaw Valley State University. If you can't attend and would like to follow along via webcast or live stats, visit UIUPeacocks.com/LIVE.

AWAY FROM THE WOODS… Upper Iowa will face off against Northwood University for just the second time in team history this Friday. Their first meeting occurred earlier this year on the road in Midland, Mich. The match resulted in a 5-0 count in favor of Northwood. The Wildcats got out to an early lead scoring for the first time in the 15th minute of the match. Northwood scored four more times in the contest while shutting out the Peacocks. The match was highlighted by two goals scored by Josh Wates and two assists made by Austin Hobbs.

The Northwood Timberwolves were 9-9-1 (5-6-1 in GLIAC play) during the 2018 season. The Timberwolves 2018 leading goal scorer, forward Austin Hobbs returns to Northwood for his junior season. Hobbs was also second in total points for the Timberwolves last season. He has already excelled so far this season for Northwood, leading teammates to two goals versus Upper Iowa earlier on this season. Northwood lost to Ashland University in the GLIAC Tournament Championship 3-0 in the final game of the 2018 season, ending their playoff hopes. So far this season, Northwood is 8-6-1 (6-5 in GLIAC play).

BIRD WATCHING… Upper Iowa will also take on Saginaw Valley State University for just the second time in team history this Sunday. The first time the two teams went head to head took place earlier this year in University Center, Mich. The match ended in a 8-2 loss for Upper Iowa. Connor Rutz stood out for Saginaw Valley as he had a hat trick early on in the second half of the match. Upper Iowa's day was highlighted by goals from freshman forward Stan Cargill and junior forward Dylan Mientus.

The Saginaw Valley Cardinals were 11-3-6 (7-1-4 in GLIAC play) during the 2018 season. The Cardinals 2018 leading distributor, midfielder Alex Gloshen returns to Saginaw Valley for his junior season. Gloshen also was third in scoring for the Cardinals last season. Gloshen had two assists when the two teams faced off back in September. Saginaw Valley had the most shots attempted, assists, goals scored, and points out of all GLIAC teams during the 2018 season. Saginaw Valley made it all the way to the DII NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 before being defeated by Ohio Valley University 1-0. So far this season, Saginaw Valley is 9-5-1 (7-4 in GLIAC play) with hopes to return to the NCAA Tournament in November.

UP NEXT … Upper Iowa will play their final regular season game of the 2019 season. The Peacocks will play Purdue-Northwest University in Hammond, Ind. on Nov.8 at 1:30 p.m. If you can't attend and would like to follow along via webcast or live stats, visit UIUPeacocks.com/LIVE.