The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) men's soccer team aims to improve upon its 2017 record-setting season. After locking up a program-best sixth place in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) last season, the Prairie Stars are striving for an even better finish in 2018.
 
SETTING THE SCENE
The Prairie Stars qualified for its first-ever GLVC Tournament last year. UIS put together an 8-8-1 overall record and an 8-5-1 conference record, setting UIS Division II records in wins and conference wins. The Prairie Stars received their first United Soccer Coaches (USC) NCAA Division II Midwest Regional ranking in addition to picking up their first victory against Drury University in program history.
 
"Our goal is to win and be competitive, but our expectation is to improve upon last year by scoring more and conceding less," UIS coach Adam Hall said.
 
GLVC OUTLOOK
Rockhurst University went 16-2-3 overall with a 12-1-1 GLVC record in 2017 to capture its third-consecutive GLVC regular-season title. After being upset in GLVC quarterfinals, Rockhurst rolled through the NCAA Division II Tournament and advanced to the national semifinals for the third consecutive year as well as the fourth season in five years. Maryville University took second place in the GLVC. The Saints were also upset in the GLVC quarterfinals, but received a No. 3 seed in Midwest Region for the NCAA Tournament. Capping off the GLVC representatives in the NCAA Tournament is the University of Indianapolis, which received the No. 6 seed after taking the GLVC Conference Tournament.
 
Each of the GLVC representatives in the 2017 NCAA Tournament received a national ranking in the USC NCAA Division II poll. Rockhurst is ranked No. 3, Maryville is ranked No. 19 and Indianapolis is tied at No. 25.
 
The Prairie Stars were selected eighth in the GLVC preseason poll with 81 points. Rockhurst, Maryville and Indianapolis were picked in the top three spots, separated by only five points. Capturing eight first-place votes was Rockhurst, who topped the preseason poll with 158 points. Indianapolis earned second with 154 points and three first-place votes. Maryville trailed Indianapolis by one point with 153 points and the remaining three first-place votes.
 
Bellarmine University was slotted fourth with 124 points, holding position ahead of Lewis University (122), the University of Southern Indiana (105), Drury University (85), UIS (81), Quincy University (75), the University of Missouri-St. Louis (70), Missouri S&T (68), Truman State University (35), McKendree University (28) and William Jewell College (16), which rounds out the preseason poll.
 
STARS LOST
The Prairie Stars had key players graduated. Jack Coombes started 15 matches on the defensive line for the Prairie Stars defensive line and was named to the All-GLVC Third Team. Tommy Geile started 15 matches at goalkeeper for the Prairie Stars. In addition to posting an .814 save percentage last season, Geile broke the UIS Division II single-season records in shutouts (5) and goals against average (1.05). Geile holds the UIS Division II career records in shutouts (10), save percentage (.771) and goals against average (1.32). Naba Alzhyri led the Prairie Stars in goals (6) and points (12) last season. He also contributed five game-winning goals, which is both the UIS Division II single-season and career record. Khalid Dhalla started all 17 matches on the defensive line last season.
 
STARS OF NOTE
The Prairie Stars bring back Rhys Wallace, the program's first-ever second-team all-GLVC selection. Wallace notched 10 points off four goals and two assists last season. The senior defender from Kilmarnock, Scotland contributed two game-winning goals, which is tied for third among UIS Division II single-season leaders and tied for eighth among UIS Division II career leaders. Mario Falsone provided seven points off three goals and an assist. The junior from Edinburgh, Scotland netted two game-winning goals, which is tied for third among UIS Division II single-season leaders. Among UIS Division II career leaders, Falsone is tied for fifth in points (19), tied for fifth in goals (8) and tied for eighth in game-winning goals (2).
 
Edward Rose returns after starting 15 matches on the defensive line in 2017. Alex Morais started 16 matches last season and produced one goal. Josh Moore dished out three assists as the senior forward from Houston is tied for sixth in UIS Division II history with four career assists. Alex Zarco also tallied six points off two goals and two assists. The Prairie Stars return 61 percent of their starts from last season.
 
"One of our biggest strengths is that we have a lot of returners," said Hall, who enters his third season as head coach of the Prairie Stars. "We also have players with positive and confident attitudes."
 
STARS ON THE RISE
Despite graduating 10 seniors, UIS brought in 11 newcomers. Newcomers looking to make an immediate impact include Terence Bynoe, Rory Carlson, Dan Dekanski, Mario Gonzalez and Pijus Petkevicius, among others.
 
A LOOK AT THE OPPONENTS
UIS challenges No. 7 Ohio Valley University on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Kiwanis Stadium. The Prairie Stars then battle Tiffin University on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Kiwanis Stadium.
 
Ohio Valley compiled a 17-2-4 overall record and an 11-0-3 Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) record in 2017, while sweeping the GMAC regular-season and conference tournament titles. The Fighting Scots earned the top seed in the Midwest Region for the NCAA Tournmaent and advanced to the regional finals. Ohio Valley fell to second-seeded Rockhurst in a 1-0 loss during the regional championship. Among NCAA Division II leaders, Ohio Valley was ranked fourth in goals against average (.457), fourth in shutout percentage (.609), sixth in assists per match (2.22), seventh in points per match (7.35) and eighth in scoring (2.57). The Fighting Scots took down UIS with a 2-0 victory in last year's meeting.
 
Led by defending GMAC Coach of the Year, Luis Rincon; Ohio Valley is the favorite to win the GMAC this season, as voted upon in the GMAC preseason coaches' poll. The Fighting Scots return the defending GMAC Offensive Player of the Year, Ceslo Riveros. Riveros contributed 26 points off 11 goals and four assists in 2017. He garnered Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) Midwest Region first-team honors as well as first-team all-GMAC recognition.
 
Nicolas Rodriguez produced 25 points off 10 goals and five assists. He was named to the D2CCA All-Midwest Region First Team and the All-GMAC First Team. Camilo Sarmiento started 17 matches on the defensive line last season and received second-team all-GMAC honors. Nemanja Acimovic also returns after delivering 13 points off five goals and three assists during his freshman year. Despite bringing back a handful of key players, the Fighting Scots only return 43 percent of last year's starts.
 
Tiffin University turned in an 8-7-3 record in 2017 and are picked to finish third in the GMAC this season, according to the GMAC preseason coaches' poll. The Dragons fended off the Prairie Stars with a 2-1 victory last season after shutting down a shot on goal off a corner kick from Wallace as time expired.
 
Tiffin brings back its top scorer from last season, Abdoul Magic Sy, who provided 14 points off six goals and two assists. The Dragons also return Spencer Wood, who started 16 matches on the defensive line. Starting goalkeeper Cary Wilson returns for Tiffin after recording four shutouts last season. Tiffin returns 57 percent of its starts.
 
"Ohio Valley and Tiffin are two very good opponents who will provide us a great test.  Both teams are consistently at the top in their conference and it will be a good opportunity for us to compete."
 
LOOKING AHEAD
UIS has a stretch from Sept. 14-21 where the Prairie Stars clash with three consecutive opponents that are currently ranked in Maryville, Indianapolis and Rockhurst. However, every match is equally important on a win-loss record and every conference match is equally important in terms of conference position.
 
"We are looking forward to all of our matches this season. We love to test ourselves."
 
KEYS FOR SUCCESS
UIS will be putting emphasis on unity and focus this season, particularly through adversity.
 
"We want to go deeper [into matches], stick together and stay focused. We have the ability. Can we use it when things aren't going our way?"