THIS WEEKEND IN PEACOCK MEN'S SOCCER… Upper Iowa hits the road for a pair of non-conference matches to open their 2019 season. The Peacocks will face Maryville University on Friday, Sept. 6 at 5 p.m. and Lindenwood University on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. Live stats and a webcast will be available by clicking the links above or at UIUPeacocks.com/Live.
NEW BEGINNINGS… Upper Iowa will enter the 2019 season in its first year in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Prior to this season, the Peacocks competed in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for seven seasons.
Current Competition… Upper Iowa men's soccer will start the season against the Maryville Saints in St. Louis, Mo. This will be the first time the Peacocks face off against the Saints. Maryville finished the 2018 season with a winning record of 10-5-5. Their playoff run ended early when the Saints suffered a 2-1 overtime loss against Ohio Valley University in the first round of the NCAA Regional Tournament.
FAMILIAR FOE… The Peacocks will continue their road trip as they face off against the Lindenwood Lions in St.Charles, Mo. Lindenwood finished the 2018 season with a winning record of 9-6-3. Upper Iowa has struggled against the Lions in recent years, but the Peacocks split their season series with Lindenwood in 2018. Lindenwood owns a 12-2 mark against Upper Iowa since 2012. UIU's win last season came at home by a 2-1 count thanks to goals by Italo Martins Soares and Marko Cirko.
PEACOCK PERFORMANCE… Upper Iowa has a plethora of talent returning for the 2019 campaign including eight starters from last year's squad. Leading the group of returners is a trio of talented upperclassmen including three-time All-MIAA performer Seth Russell and two-time All-MIAA performers Soares and Cirko. Soares, a junior forward, led the team in goals, points and assists last season tallying 14 points via five goals and four assists. Soares posted an impressive .569 shot on goal percentage placing 29 of his 51 shots on target.
Junior forward Tate Lofdahl will also be a big contributor to Upper Iowa's offense this season. Lofdahl was second on the team in goals (three, including two game winners), assists (one), and points (seven) during the 2018 season. Cameron Bosacki adds tremendous experience on the backline to lead the UIU defense.
Senior goalkeeper Anthony Velez hopes to continue Peacock excellence in net this season. Upper Iowa led the MIAA in both saves (112) and save percentage (.806) in 2018. Velez started one game in 2018, he allowed two goals and made two saves.
LOOKING AHEAD… The Peacocks will open their home slate on Thursday, Sept.12 at 2 p.m. when they take on the University of Missouri - St.Louis. The homestand will continue on Saturday, Sept.14 at 1 p.m. as the Peacocks will play Dakota Wesleyan University at Pattison Field.
