THIS WEEKEND IN PEACOCKS MEN'S SOCCER…  After a 16-month hiatus, the Peacocks return to the pitch for the first time since Nov. 7, 2019. Upper Iowa will pick up right where they left off as they'll face Purdue University-Northwest in Hammond, Ind. on Mar. 6 at 2 p.m., the same opponent and location of their last match in 2019. Fans can follow along via live stats produced by Purdue-Northwest by using the link above or by visiting UIUPeacocks.com/LIVE.

RETURNING PEACOCKS… Upper Iowa has seven players returning from the 2019 squad that posted a 0-16-1 record in their first year competing in the Great Lakes Conference (GLIAC). Head Coach Willie McGowan returns for his fourth season at the helm of the Peacocks.

Tate Lofdahl is set to lead UIU's offense this spring. The senior forward has found the back of the net six times during his tenure in Fayette including two goals during the 2019 campaign. Stan Cargill will help set the pace alongside Lofdahl. The London, England native scored one goal as a true freshman last season while 10 of his 15 attempts were on target.

Manning the back line will be Alan Dunlop and Nolan Schulte. The duo of upperclassmen defenders have a combined 35 games experience under their belts in Peacock uniforms.

Tending goal for the Peacocks is Reighly Schultz. The junior appeared in six games, four of which he started during the 2019 season where he made 41 saves and registered a .707 save percentage.

Ryan Wooten and Duarte Farroco da Fonte are set to return for the Peacocks as well after missing the majority of the 2019 campaign due to injury.

GLIAC PRESEASON COACHES' POLL… The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men's soccer coaches selected Upper Iowa to finish 8th in 2021. The University of Wisconsin - Parkside earned the coaches' nod to win the league for the second consecutive year.

TAMING THE LIONS… Purdue-Northwest held a 2-13-3 record last season, 2-9-3 in conference play finishing seventh overall in the GLIAC. The Peacocks' two matches with the Pride last season yielded a 3-3 tie in which Lofdahl scored followed by a 2-0 loss on the road. PNW's leading scorer from a season ago, Matt Bahena, returns to the team after amassing seven goals in 2019. Enrique Serna, who led the Pride in assists with three, also returns for the spring 2021 campaign. Raul Garrido-Garcia is back in net for Purdue, the junior made 54 saves a year ago.

LOOKING AHEAD … Upper Iowa will have its home opener versus Northwood University on Pattison Field in Fayette on Mar. 14 at 12:00 p.m. Fans can follow along via webcast and live stats at UIUPeacocks.com/LIVE.