SPRINGFIELD, IL – The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) men's soccer team conquered McKendree University in a 2-0 victory during Friday's Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) matchup.

Naba Alzhyri and Khalid Dhalla provided goals to lead the Prairie Stars (5-3-1, 5-1-1) past the Bearcats (2-6, 0-6). Josh Moore also dished out an assist.

"We had a solid performance," UIS coach Adam Hall said. "Naba and Khalid has quality finishes. We asked the players to step up and keep the momentum and the two seniors made the difference."

"We came out strong, focused and determined to get the win," Moore added.

The Prairie Stars scored their first goal just three minutes into the first period. Alzhyri intercepted a pass in the McKendree backfield, lined up and put UIS on the board.

"I thought we came out with the right mind set," Dhalla commented. "We scored an early goal which really put us in a good position for the rest of the game."

UIS saw an opportunity to go ahead by two scores 31 minutes into the match. Alex Zarco delivered a header that was saved. Alzhyri fired off the rebound but McKendree goalkeeper Brett Niedzwiecki collected the save.

During the 65th minute, the Prairie Star defense pressured James Stone as he drove up the field. Stone produced a shot but UIS goalkeeper Tommy Geile came up with the save.

One minute later, Moore found Dhalla at the center of the box and Dhalla contributed an insurance goal.

"I dragged a few defenders, then laid the ball off to the top of the box where Khalid scored an amazing goal," Moore recalled. "The goal then sealed the match for us."

"We were able to control the tempo and then we managed to get another goal towards the end, which was the final blow," Dhalla acknowledged.

The Prairie Stars outshot the Bearcats by a 14-to-9 margin. UIS limited McKendree to just two shots on goal.

"I'm really happy with how we played. We limited them to almost no chances and took our opportunities."

Alzhyri and Zarco notched two shots on goal apiece while Dhalla and Fernando Sanz de Galdeano each tallied a shot on target.

Stone and Javier Soto Neira both registered a shot on goal for McKendree.

Geile recorded his fourth shutout of the season and the ninth of his career while sending away both of the shots he faced. Niedzwiecki rejected four of the six shots he faced.

"We'll hopefully use this win to come into Sunday highly motivated," Moore said.

The Prairie Stars currently hold third place in the GLVC standings. UIS closes the GLVC weekend by entertaining the University of Southern Indiana (USI) (3-5, 1-5) on Sunday at 12 p.m. at Kiwanis Stadium.

"We need another big performance on Sunday," Hall stated. "I hope to see the community out there."

PRAIRIE STAR NOTES
Geile broke his single-season shutout record. Alzhyri leads the conference with three game-winning goals on the season. The senior midfielder from Nashville, TN is tied for third in UIS Division II history with three career game-winning goals.