THIS WEEKEND IN PEACOCK WOMEN'S SOCCER… The Upper Iowa women's soccer team will welcome a pair of NSIC foes to Fayette for UIU's Hall of Fame Weekend. The Peacocks start the two-game homestand with a matchup against the University of Minnesota Crookston on Friday, Oct. 15 at 12 p.m. before facing Bemidji State University on Sunday, Oct. 17 at 12 p.m.

LIVE COVERAGE OPTIONS… Live stats and a webcast for the matches will be available through the links at UIUPeacocks.com/LIVE and included with this story. The contests will also stream live on the new NSIC Network app through Roku and Fire devices, as well as Apple and Android TV. Search for "NSIC Network" to find the app on your relevant device. Locally, Friday's match is scheduled to be broadcast on KCRG-TV 9.2, while Sunday's match is scheduled to be broadcast on Eastern Iowa's CW 9.3.

DIGITAL GAMEDAY PROGRAM… Upper Iowa will not be printing gameday programs this season. Fans can access the interactive and digital gameday program at any time at UIUPeacocks.com/Programs. The digital programs are available to fans both at our games and those at home listening to or watching the action. QR Codes will also be located around the field to scan with your cell phone's camera that will link you directly to that game's specific digital gameday program.

LOOKING FOR A PATTISON FIELD PICK-ME-UP... The Peacocks are looking to regroup at home after a tough weekend on the road in which they went 0-2. On Friday against Minnesota State University, Mankato, Upper Iowa fell by a score of 5-0 after the Mavericks scored four times in the first half and recorded all five goals in the first 47:45 of the match. MSU's Jenny Vetter scored four times against UIU and out-shot the Peacocks, and the Mavericks ended the match with a 21-3 margin in shots (8-2 shots on goal). On Sunday against Concordia University, St. Paul, Upper Iowa fell by a score of 4-0 after three second-half goals from CSP put the Peacocks away. The Golden Bears finished the first half with a 5-1 advantage in shots that included a 3-0 margin in shots on goal. The Peacocks managed to take five shots in the second period, but the Golden Bears took seven and converted all three of their on-target attempts in the second half.

Upper Iowa has now lost four consecutive matches on the road and has five straight losses overall. The Peacocks have been outscored by a 17-0 margin in that span. Coming home could do Upper Iowa some good as the Peacocks hold a 3-1 record on Pattison Field. UIU won its first three matches played in Fayette and opened the season with a perfect 5-0 record, and getting to play on their home pitch could help the Peacocks get back to their winning ways.

GEARING UP FOR THE GOLDEN EAGLES... The University of Minnesota Crookston comes into their matchup against UIU with a 1-9 (1-6 NSIC) record. The Golden Eagles started the season 0-3 in non-conference play before claiming a 1-0 win over Minnesota State University Moorhead to open their NSIC schedule, but UMC has lost its last six matches to conference opponents heading into this contest. In their last two matches, Minnesota Crookston fell by a score of 9-0 against Augustana University on Oct. 3 before a 4-0 loss to the University of Minnesota Duluth on Oct. 10. UMC's three goals are the second-lowest total in the conference, and their 41 goals allowed lead the NSIC by 15. The Golden Eagles have been outshot 295-59, including a 146-30 deficit in shots on goal, and have been outscored by an average of 3.8 goals per game in their ten matches. Minnesota Crookston's 104 saves lead the conference, and Abby Olsen leads the team and conference with 99 of them. Minnesota Crookston was picked to finish last in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll and is currently ranked 15th out of 16 teams in the standings.

MATCHUP HISTORY VS. MINN. CROOKSTON... Upper Iowa holds a 5-3-2 advantage in the all-time series between the Peacocks and the Golden Eagles. UIU went 3-0-2 in the first five matchups between the teams, and the squads have alternated wins on each other's home pitch over the last four contests. The Peacocks claimed a 3-0 victory in their last meeting on Sep. 30, 2019, in Crookston, Minn, and the Golden Eagles claimed a 1-0 win over UIU in Fayette in 2018. In their 2019 matchup, the Peacocks finished with a 24-7 shot advantage that included a 14-4 margin in shots on goal. UIU also took 11 corner kicks while allowing none.

BATTLING THE BEAVERS... Bemidji State University enters the weekend with a record of 10-0-1 (7-0-1 NSIC). The Beavers are ranked 11th in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll for NCAA Division II women's soccer and have appeared in the rankings for four weeks since jumping into the 15th spot after a 5-0 start. Bemidji State tied Minnesota State 2-2 in their sixth match of the season, but the Beavers have won their last five matches, outscoring their opponents by a 12-2 margin in the process. BSU's 25 goals rank third in the NSIC while their eight goals allowed are tied for the third-fewest, and they own a 187-121 shot advantage that includes an 89-45 margin in shots on goal. The BSU offense is led by Sara Wendt and her NSIC-leading 12 goals and 25 points. Wendt's 42 shots rank fourth in the conference, and BSU's Allyson Smith is tied for second in shots with 54. Maggie Cade's six assists lead the Beavers and rank second in the NSIC, and BSU's Smith (5) is tied for third in the conference while two more Beavers are tied for fifth with four. Goalkeeper Alyssa Stumbaugh's .523 goals against average ranks third in the NSIC, while her .867 save percentage ranks fifth. Bemidji State University was picked to finish fourth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll but is currently sitting in second place in the conference heading into the weekend. The Beavers are scheduled to play Winona State University (3-7, 2-6 NSIC) prior to playing the Peacocks.

MATCHUP HISTORY VS. BEMIDJI STATE... Bemidji State holds an 8-4 advantage in the all-time series between the Peacocks and the Beavers. UIU went 4-2 in the first five contests between the teams, including a three-match winning streak, but BSU has been the victor in the last six matchups. In their last matchup on Sep. 17, 2019, in Bemidji, Minn., the Peacocks jumped out to an early 1-0 lead before the Beavers claimed a 2-1 victory in the match. Bemidji State won by a score of 5-1 in the last matchup between the teams in Fayette in 2018.

LOOKING AHEAD… UIU hits the road for a pair of NSIC matches away from Fayette, starting with a matchup against Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D. on Friday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. before meeting Minnesota State University Moorhead on Sunday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. in Moorhead, Minn.
 

2021 Team Leaders	POINTS	GOALS	ASSISTS	SHOTS	SAVES
UPPER IOWA	Samuels - 5	Kazluski - 2	Samuels - 3	Samuels - 26	Rudrud - 31
MINN. CROOKSTON	Three tied w/ - 2	Three tied w/ - 1	Three tied w/ - 1	Fettinger - 14	Olsen - 99
BEMIDJI STATE	Wendt - 25	Wendt - 12	Cade - 6	Smith - 54	Stumbaugh - 26