SPRINGFIELD, IL – The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) women's soccer team continues its Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) season with two conference matches this weekend.
 
SETTING THE SCENE
UIS (6-3-3, 3-3-2) clashes with Bellarmine University (3-2-3, 2-2-3) on Friday at 3:55 p.m. (ET) in Louisville, KY. The Prairie Stars battle the University of Indianapolis (5-3-1, 4-2-1) on Sunday at 12 p.m. (ET) in Indianapolis, IN.
 
WHAT'S HAPPENING LATELY
The Prairie Stars finished 0-1-1 in conference play last week. McKendree (7-1-1, 5-1-1) scored an early goal to capture a 1-0 victory over the Prairie Stars on Friday. The Bearcats were ranked No. 16 in last week's United Soccer Coaches (USC) NCAA Division II poll. Regina Bolin found the back of the net in the 87th minute against the University of Southern Indiana (USI) (4-2-4, 2-1-4) on Sunday. The Prairie Stars and the Screaming Eagles battled to a 1-1 tie in double overtime.
 
Bellarmine put together an 0-1-1 week in GLVC play last week. The University of Wisconsin-Parkside (2-8-1, 1-6-1) recorded a 2-1 win over Bellarmine on Friday. Bellarmine and Lewis University (3-2-3, 2-2-3) clashed to a defensive draw on Sunday. Indianapolis secured a 1-0 victory over UW-Parkside last Sunday.
 
STARS OF NOTE
Karisa Rogers leads the Prairie Stars with four goals. Among GLVC leaders, Rogers tied for second in goals and tied for seventh in points (8). Meghan Delaney has notched nine points off three goals and three assists. Among conference leaders, Delaney is tied for third in points, tied for fourth in assists and tied for seventh in goals. Taylor Mraz has contributed seven points off two goals and three assists. The junior forward from Crystal Lake, IL has provided two game-winning goals. Emily Matsen has provided three goals including two game-winning goals. The senior midfielder from Springfield is tied for seventh in the conference for goals. Mraz and Kaylan Mills are both tied for fourth in the GLVC with three assists. Madisyn Coudriet have netted two goals and Kayla Meyer has added two assists.
 
A LOOK AT THE OPPONENTS
Bellarmine took a 1-0 win over the Prairie Stars last season. Samantha Ferry leads Bellarmine with four goals, which is tied for second in the conference. Annabel Moore is tied for fourth in the conference with three assists. Taylor Smith is ranked fourth in the conference with an .864 save percentage.
 
Indianapolis recorded a 1-0 overtime victory over UIS last year. Stephanie Burdsall, Sierra Singer and Michele Govern have each produced two goals for the Greyhounds. Burdsall is also tied for fourth in the conference with three assists. Caitlyn MacKenzie is ranked fifth in the GLVC with an .857 save percentage.
 
KEY DECISIONS
UIS earned its first win over a ranked opponent in program history with a 1-0 win on Sept. 5 over Lindenwood University (4-6), which was ranked No. 25 nationally at the time.
 
Bellarmine recorded a 1-1 draw with Maryville University (6-2-2, 5-1-2) on Sept. 8. The Knights also put together a 2-0 win over the Greyhounds on Sept. 24.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
The Prairie Stars have two GLVC matches scheduled for next weekend. UIS ventures to UW-Parkside for a matchup next Friday at 12 p.m. in Somers, WI. The Prairie Stars then face off with Lewis next Sunday at 12 p.m. at Kiwanis Stadium.
 
UIS DIVISION II RECORD BOOK WATCH
Rogers ranks third in career goals (9) and career points (21). Matsen is tied for fourth in career goals (7) and Mraz is tied for fourth in career assists (6). Courtney Johnson sits third among the career leaders in shutouts (5). Mraz, Mills and Delaney are each tied for third among single-season leaders with three on the season.
 
HOW TO WATCH
Friday Oct. 6: UIS at Bellarmine (Live Stats) (Live Video)
Sunday Oct. 8: UIS at Indianapolis (Live Stats) (Live Video)