THIS WEEKEND IN PEACOCKS MEN'S SOCCER… Upper Iowa will hit the road and head to Michigan to face a pair of GLIAC opponents. The Peacocks will first face Saginaw Valley State University on Friday, Sept. 27 at 3 p.m. Upper Iowa will then take on Northwood University on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 12 p.m. Live stats and a webcast will be available by clicking the links above or at UIUPeacocks.com/Live.
THE OPPONENTS AREA… Upper Iowa will be facing Saginaw Valley State and Northwood for the first time in team history this weekend. 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. 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 3-2-1 (1-1 in GLIAC play).
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. 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 3-2-1 (1-1 in GLIAC play).
MOVING FORWARD … Upper Iowa suffered two road losses this past weekend. The Peacocks first defeat came at the hands of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Upper Iowa scored first in the contest, when senior midfielder Seth Russell scored early on in the first half. Freshman midfielder Nate Kopetsky made a key stop at midfield, Kopetsky then found Russell open down field who was able to score.The Peacocks defense and goalkeeper, senior Anthony Velez shutout the Rangers until the 78th minute of play. Wisconsin-Parkside scored two goals within a five minute span to comeback from the 1-0 deficit and win the match 2-1.
The second loss came against Northern Michigan University. After a scoreless first half of play, the Wildcats scored early on in the second half to take the lead. Northern Michigan scored again in the 65th minute to go up by the eventual final score of 2-0. The Peacocks had plenty of scoring opportunities in the second half but unfortunately were unable to find the net. Junior forward Tate Lofdahl led the offensive attack for the Peacocks. He was able to get three shots off in the match, two of which were on goal.
LOOKING AHEAD … The Peacocks will host their first set of in conference home matches. Upper Iowa will first take on Davenport University on Friday, Oct. 4 at 3:30 p.m. The Peacocks will then play Ashland University on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 2:30 p.m. Visit UIUPeacocks/Live to follow along via live stats and a webcast.
