SPRINGFIELD, IL – The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) men's soccer team prepares for Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) home matchups against McKendree University and the University of Southern Indiana (USI).
 
SETTING THE SCENE
UIS (4-3-1, 4-1-1) faces off with McKendree University (2-5, 0-5) on Friday at 5 p.m. at Kiwanis Stadium. The Prairie Stars close out the weekend by clashing with USI (3-4, 1-4) on Sunday at 12 p.m.
 
WHAT'S HAPPENING LATELY
Naba Alzhyri and Mario Falsone scored quick goals as the Prairie Stars earned a 2-0 victory over Maryville University (6-2, 4-2) last Friday. Tommy Geile put together his third shutout of the season. Maryville was receiving votes in last week's United Soccer Coaches (USC) NCAA Division II poll. During last Sunday's match with the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL), Jack Coombes netted an equalizer early in the second half at the two teams fought to a 1-1 double-overtime draw. UIS concluded the week in third place in the GLVC standings. The Prairie Stars are ranked No. 10 in the latest USC NCAA Division II Midwest Region poll.
 
McKendree took a 3-1 loss to the University of Wisconsin-Parkside (2-6, 2-4) last Friday. The Bearcats dropped their second conference match of the week when Lewis University (5-3, 4-2) scored a quick overtime goal to earned a 1-0 overtime victory last Sunday.
 
USI went 1-1 in GLVC play last week. The Screaming Eagles fell to the University of Indianapolis in a 2-1 overtime loss last Friday. USI's Sean Rickey produced two goals lead USI to a 2-0 win over UW-Parkside last Sunday.
 
STARS OF NOTE
Falsone leads UIS with three goals on the season. Rhys Wallace and Alzhyri have contributed two goals apiece while Alex Morais and Coombes have each tallied one goal. Alzhyri has also delivered two game-winning goals for the Prairie Stars. Geile has recorded three shutouts and ranks second in the GLVC with an .814 save percentage.
 
A LOOK AT THE OPPONENTS
UIS captured a 3-1 win over McKendree last season. The Bearcats are led by Gonzalo Correa with three goals this season.
 
USI took down UIS in a 3-1 decision last season. Rickey leads the Screaming Eagles with four goals. Among GLVC leaders, Rickey is tied for fourth in goals per game (0.571) and tied for eighth in points per game (1.14). Rickey has also provided two game-winning goals for USI. Riley Belding has dished out four assists and leads the conference in assists per game (.667). Justin Raines has also notched two goals on the season.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
The Prairie Stars battle for conference position in a pair of road matches next weekend. UIS clashes with Bellarmine University (5-2, 3-2) next Friday at 6:30 p.m. (ET) in Louisville, KY. The Prairie Stars take on the University of Indianapolis (6-2, 5-1) next Sunday at 2:30 p.m. (ET) in Indianapolis, IN. Indianapolis is receiving votes in the latest national poll.
 
UIS DIVISION II RECORD BOOK WATCH
Geile tops the career shutout record book with eight and ranks second in career saves (201). The senior goalkeeper from St. Charles, MO tied his 2016 single-season shutout mark with three. Alzhyri is tied for second in single-season game-winning goals (2) and currently holds second in career assists (6). Falsone currently sits fifth in career points (18) and career goals while Coombes is tied for third in career game-winning goals (3).
 
HOW TO WATCH
Friday, Sept. 29: UIS vs. McKendree (Live Stats) (Live Video)
Sunday, Oct. 1: UIS vs. USI (Live Stats) (Live Video)