THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK WOMEN'S SOCCER… Upper Iowa will host William Jewell College on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 1 p.m. The Peacocks open the season at home on Pattison Field against the Cardinals. Fans unable to attend the game can follow along via live stats and a webcast, links can be found at UIUPeacocks.com/Live. The game will also be broadcast on KCRG-TV 9.3 and streamed through the NSIC app on Roku and Amazon Fire devices, as well as Apple and Android televisions.
NSIC WOMEN'S SOCCER COACHES' PRESEASON POLL… The Northern Sun Conference Women's Soccer Coaches' Preseason Poll is out and the Peacocks have been picked to finish fourteenth in the conference this season. The defending NSIC Tournament Champions of Minnesota State University, Mankato were picked to win the NSIC in the preseason coaches' poll. This marks the eighth time since re-joining the NSIC in 2008 that the Mavericks have been picked to win the NSIC.
SPEAKING OF THE PRESEASON… UIU played a pair of scrimmages in the preseason to get ready for their 2019 campaign. Upper Iowa took on Northwest Missouri State University and Hawkeye Community College in August as the team shaped into form.
LOOKING IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR… The Peacocks, who went 3-13-2 overall and 2-11-2 in the NSIC in 2018, started their season with a big home win over Fort Hays State and later added victories over MSU Moorhead and Minnesota Duluth. The team suffered their fair share of heartbreakers, dropping six matches by a single goal including a 2-1 loss in overtime against No. 23 Truman State at home.
RETURNING EXPERIENCE… Head Coach
James Price, who returns for his fourth season at Upper Iowa, brings back an experienced group that saw loads of time on the field last year led by lead-scorer and NSIC Player to Watch
Katie Samuels. Samuels appeared in all 18 games, scored five times and placed 14 of 30 shot attempts on goal. Peacock goalkeeper
Natalie Rudrud will also return to the pitch after starting her freshman campaign with NSIC Goalkeeper of the Week honors and compiling 129 saves in over 1600 minutes in goal throughout the season. Seniors
Molly Doran and
Jessica Kron along with sophomore
Aimee Sies will return to anchor the Peacock backline, while the attacking front brings back experience from NSIC Player to Watch
Emily Hooper,
Facienne Graham and
Haley Ramberg.
SCOUTING THE CARDINALS… The Cardinals return 84 percent of their goals scored from last season as in addition to Malott and Crowder, Jewell welcomes back
Katie Pohl (3 goals),
Lexy Hawkins (2), and
Gracie Schweinfurth (2).
Kaylie Kappelmann is back after putting together one of the best freshman seasons for a goalie at William Jewell last year before suffering an injury. She returns better than ever and is joined by freshman
Katie Wagenheim.
ON THE HORIZON… Upper Iowa will host a tournament next weekend on Friday and Sunday, Sept. 13 and 15. The Peacocks will take the pitch against Davenport University on Friday at 5:30 p.m. following the first match of the day between Concordia University, St. Paul and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside at 3 p.m. On Sunday, Concordia-St. Paul and Davenport will get together at 12 p.m. followed by the Peacocks taking on the Rangers of UW-Parkside at 2:30 p.m.
