SPRINGFIELD, IL – The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) men's soccer team kicks off Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Tournament with Lewis University.
 
SETTING THE SCENE
Sixth-seeded UIS (8-7-1, 8-5-1) faces off with third-seeded Lewis (11-4-1, 10-3-1) on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in Romeoville, IL.
 
"We expect Lewis to be a very organized team," UIS coach Adam Hall said. "They usually try to make it difficult to break them down with many numbers behind the ball."
 
WHAT'S HAPPENING LATELY
The Prairie Stars dropped a 3-1 loss to Rockhurst University (13-1-2, 12-1-1) on Wednesday. Rockhurst has won three consecutive GLVC regular-season titles and is currently ranked No. 8 in the latest United Soccer Coaches (USC) NCAA Division II poll. The lone goal from UIS came when Javier Milla flung a cross from Rhys Wallace.
 
Lewis and Drury University (7-7-2, 6-6-2) battled to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday. The Flyers are currently ranked No. 7 in the Midwest Region.
 
STARS OF NOTE
Naba Alzhyri leads the Prairie Stars with six goals on the season. The senior midfielder from Nashville, TN is one of three players in the GLVC with five game-winning goals this season. Rhys Wallace has notched 10 points off four goals and two assists. Mario Falsone has netted three goals and Josh Moore has dished out three assists. Tommy Geile currently ranks second in the GLVC with an .818 save percentage.
 
UIS allows the fourth-lowest scoring average in the conference, giving up 1.19 goals per match.
 
UIS DIVISION II RECORD BOOK WATCH
Alzhyri holds the career and single-season records for game-winning goals with five. He also ranks second in career assists (6), third in single-season goals (6) and fourth in career points (20). Geile maintains the records for career shutouts (10) and single-season shutouts (5). Falsone is tied fifth in career points (19) and is tied for fifth in career goals (8).
 
A LOOK AT THE OPPONENT
Nico Mueller has produced 24 points off 11 goals and two assists. He is tied for first in goals, ranks third in points and is one of three players in the conference with five game-winning goals. John Horstman is tied for sixth in the GLVC with five assists. Philip Huang ranks fourth in the conference with a .790 save percentage.
 
Lewis ranks third for lowest scoring average in the GLVC, surrendering 1.06 goals per match.
 
"It's a good matchup. I think both teams are very similar. They've had a good season and it should be a good game. We have to take note of their game-changers and try to prevent them from having chances."
 
A SEASON OF FIRSTS
In addition to qualifying for their first conference tournament, the Prairie Stars recorded the most wins and most conference wins in program history. Prior to the season, UIS had never beaten a regionally-ranked opponent, but UIS picked up wins over Drury and Maryville University (12-2-2, 10-2-2) while they were regionally ranked. The Prairie Stars topped Drury for the first time in program history. UIS also received a regional ranking for the first time in school history.
 
LOOKING BACK
UIS fought to a 1-0 victory over Lewis on Oct. 15. Wallace converted a penalty kick with a top-left corner finish, which was awarded after Moore drew a foul in the box.
 
"Last time we played, we had four shots on goal and they had two shots on goal. We need to put in another similar performance to win this game."
 
LOOKING AHEAD
The four quarterfinals winners will advance to the GLVC semifinals, which will be held on Nov. 3 in Indianapolis, IN. The championship match will take place on Nov. 5 in Indianapolis, IN.
 
GLVC TOURNAMENT OUTLOOK
Rockhurst holds the top seed in the conference and is ranked second in the Midwest Region. Maryville is ranked No. 25 in the nation and No. 4 in the region. Lewis and fifth-seeded Bellarmine University (11-4-1, 9-4-1) are also regionally ranked.
 
Sunday, October 29
Quarterfinal #1: No. 8 Missouri S&T (7-6-3, 6-6-2) at No. 1 Rockhurst – 1 p.m. at Kansas City, MO
Quarterfinal #2: No. 5 Bellarmine at No. 4 University of Indianapolis (10-5-1, 9-4-1) – 2:30 p.m. (ET) at Indianapolis, IN
Quarterfinal #3: No. 7 University of Southern Indiana (10-6, 8-6) at No. 2 Maryville – 3 p.m. at St. Louis, MO
Quarterfinal #4: No. 6 UIS at No. 3 Lewis – 2:30 p.m. at Romeoville, IL (Live Stats) (Live Video)

Friday, November 3
Semifinal #1: Winner of Quarterfinal #1 vs. Winner of Quarterfinal #2 – TBA at Indianapolis, IN (Carroll Stadium, IUPUI)
Semifinal #2: Winner of Quarterfinal #3 vs. Winner of Quarterfinal #4 – TBA at Indianapolis, IN (Carroll Stadium, IUPUI)
 
Sunday, November 5
Championship: Winner of Semifinal #1 vs. Winner of Semifinal #2 – TBA at Indianapolis, IN (Carroll Stadium, IUPUI)