SPRINGFIELD, IL – The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) women's soccer team aims to make strides in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) this season.

"Our goal is to improve our record and finish better in the GLVC than past years," UIS coach Erin Egolf said.

During the 2016 season, the Prairie Stars put together a 7-11 overall record and a 4-11 record in conference play, finishing 13th in the GLVC. UIS is picked to place 14th in the conference, as voted on by the coaches.

Truman State University and Rockhurst University shared last year's regular-season title. McKendree University captured a 2-1 overtime victory over Rockhurst during the GLVC Tournament Championship. Truman State, Rockhurst, McKendree and University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) each represented the GLVC in the NCAA Division II Tournament, which included a Third Round appearance by Truman State.

Truman State, ranked No. 11 in the United Soccer Coaches (USC) NCAA Division II preseason poll, topped the GLVC preseason rankings with 187 points and five first-place votes. Right behind Truman State is Rockhurst with 180 points and seven first-place votes. Rockhurst and UMSL are receiving votes in the national preseason poll.
 

*ineligible for regular season title and GLVC Tournament

WHO'S WHO
UIS lost Macy Martin, the team's top scorer last year with five goals, however, the Prairie Stars bring back eight starters. Maggie Juhlin is the top-returning scorer for UIS after providing four goals last season. Karisa Rogers and Emily Matsen also contributed two goals and two assists apiece.

Courtney Johnson returns at the goalkeeper position for the Prairie Stars after compiling four shutouts and a .778 save percentage, in her freshman campaign.

Madisyn Coudriet, Jasmine Rea, Erin Bolskar, Regina Bolin, and Emma Williams each come back to the Prairie Stars after making double-digit starts last season.
UIS also returns Taylor Mraz, Sam Morin, Hailey Hawkins, Valentina Rodriguez, Jasmin Lisowski, Kaylan Mills, Kimmie Rickson, Kara Cipolle, Mariah Rodriguez, and Paloma Guijarro.

Newcomers looking to make an impact on the Prairie Star squad are Raena Bennett, Meghan Delaney, Amanda Meyer, Kayla Meyer, Taylor Parriott, and Izabel Pina.
The Prairie Stars will look for contributions from their entire squad this season.

"I believe everyone has a role to play this year," said Egolf, who enters her second season as head coach of the Prairie Stars. "Whether it's on game day or otherwise, every individual player needs to do her part in order for us to be successful."

KICKING OFF THE SEASON
UIS opens its season with a pair of matches in Findlay, OH. The Prairie Stars face the University of Findlay on Thursday at 1 p.m. (EST) and Tiffin University on Saturday at 3 p.m. (EST).

Egolf had this to say about the test on opening weekend, "Findlay and Tiffin should be solid opponents that will test us. These games will allow us the opportunity to see how the players react to game situations when the outcome actually matters. I expect that if our team plays well and executes, we will walk away from the weekend very happy."

KEYS FOR SUCCESS
A key component for UIS will be fielding a heathy squad throughout the season.

"We will need to manage the girls as best we can in order to keep them healthy," said Egolf.

The Prairie Stars will look for leaders to step up and make plays to be successful this year.

"We will need individual players to step up and play well. We need to create scoring chances and finish the chances that we create. We will need to stay organized as a team, and everyone will need to pull her weight."