SPRINGFIELD, IL – The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) women's soccer team clashes with Rockhurst University for the final Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Tournament spot.
 
SETTING THE SCENE
UIS (8-5-4, 5-5-3) faces off with Rockhurst (7-8-1, 5-7-1) on Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Kiwanis Stadium. The Prairie Stars can clinch their first-ever GLVC Tournament berth with a win or tie over the Hawks. Rockhurst can swipe the final playoff spot with a win over UIS.
 
WHAT'S HAPPENING LATELY
Quincy University (14-2, 12-1), ranked No. 12 in the latest United Soccer Coaches (USC) NCAA Division II poll, rallied past UIS with two goals in the final four minutes to claim a 3-2 victory and capture the GLVC regular-season title. Taylor Mraz and Amanda Meyer each provided goals for the Prairie Stars.
 
The Hawks went 0-1-1 in conference action last week. Rockhurst took a 1-0 loss to Bellarmine University (7-3-4, 6-3-4) on Friday. The Hawks ended the week by battling to a defensive draw with the University of Indianapolis (7-6-2, 6-5-2) on Sunday.
 
WHO'S IN
Quincy, McKendree University (11-2-3, 8-2-3), Maryville University (8-4-3, 7-3-3), Bellarmine, the University of Southern Indiana (8-4-4, 6-3-4), Truman State University (6-5-5, 6-4-4) and Indianapolis have each secured a spot in the GLVC Tournament. McKendree, which is receiving votes nationally, and Quincy have both clinched a home-field matchup during the GLVC Quarterfinals.
 
KEY DECISIONS
UIS dropped a 2-0 loss to William Jewell College (6-7-3, 4-6-3) on Sept. 8. The Prairie Stars earned a 1-0 win over Indianapolis on Oct. 8 and fought to a 1-0 victory over Lewis University (6-7-3, 4-6-3) on Oct. 15.
 
Rockhurst picked up a 1-0 overtime victory over Lewis on Sept. 8 and a 2-0 win over William Jewell.
 
William Jewell put together a 1-0 victory over Lewis on Sept. 10.
 
GLVC TOURNAMENT OUTLOOK
UIS, Rockhurst, William Jewell and Lewis are all teams that can finish in a tie for eighth. If UIS captures a win or a tie over Rockhurst, the Prairie Stars will finish with a higher winning percentage than the other three teams, regardless of any outcomes within the conference.
 
In a situation where Rockhurst defeats UIS, Rockhurst would have wins over UIS, William Jewell and Lewis, clinching the No. 8 seed, regardless if Lewis or William Jewell win.
 
If Rockhurst beats the Prairie Stars, William Jewell and Lewis would need wins to join the tie for eighth. William Jewell currently holds advantages over UIS and Lewis in all tiebreaker scenarios while UIS holds the advantage over Lewis in all tiebreaker scenarios.
 
The Prairie Stars could make the jump to seventh place in the conference standings if they earn a better result than Indianapolis on Wednesday.
 
STARS OF NOTE
Meghan Delaney leads UIS with 11 points off four goals and three assists. Among GLVC leaders, the freshman from Sauget, IL is tied for seventh in goals, tied for seventh in assists and tied for eighth in points. Maggie Juhlin has dished out four assists which is tied for fifth in the conference. Emily Matsen and Karisa Rogers both make up parts of a seventh-place tie in the conference with four goals. Taylor Mraz has contributed nine points off three goals and three assists this season. Kaylan Mills and Mraz both make up parts of a seventh-place tie in the GLVC with three assists. Madisyn Coudriet has produced three goals this season and Kayla Meyer has added two assists.
 
A LOOK AT THE OPPONENT
Rockhurst coasted to a 6-1 victory over UIS last season. Kaley Nieters leads the Hawks with 12 points off three goals and six assists. Cate Sommerhoff has provided nine points off four goals and one assist. Jillian Leetch and Hannah Lauer have each dished out two assists.
 
UIS DIVISION II RECORD BOOK WATCH
Matsen is currently tied for first in career game-winning goals (4), fourth in career goals (8) and tied for fifth in career points (18).  Juhlin is tied for second for most assists in a season. Rogers currently ranks third in career goals (9) and career points (21). Courtney Johnson is tied for second in career shutouts (7). Delaney is tied for fifth in single-season points. Mraz is tied for fifth in career assists (6) while Mraz, Mills and Delaney make up parts of a fifth-place tie in single-season assists.
 
HOW TO WATCH
Wednesday Oct. 25: UIS vs. Rockhurst (Live Stats) (Live Video)