After earning its first-ever berth to the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Tournament as a No. 8 seed, the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) women's soccer team expects to make a return to the conference tournament.
 
SETTING THE SCENE
Last season, UIS had its best-ever season since becoming a Division II program. The Prairie Stars compiled a 9-6-4 overall record and a 6-5-3 record in GLVC play, setting program records for wins and conference wins. In a winner-take-all match, UIS topped Rockhurst University 1-0 in the regular-season finale to lock up the final spot in the GLVC Tournament. UIS captured eighth place in the conference standings, which is its highest finish since joining the GLVC. The Prairie Stars came away with a 1-0 victory against Lindenwood University, ranked No. 25 in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II poll at the time, to earn the program's first-ever victory against a ranked opponent. UIS also collected first-time wins against Lindenwood, Drury University, the University of Indianapolis, Lewis University and Rockhurst. The focus for the Prairie Stars for this year will be to maintain and add to last year's success.
 
"The goal and expectation this year is that we will continue to build on the successes of last season," UIS coach Erin Egolf said. "We have to make sure that we don't drop off, and that we set ourselves up to get into the conference tournament."
 
Despite finishing eighth in the conference, the competitive balance in the GLVC put UIS within striking distance of prime position in the conference tournament. The Prairie Stars finished just a half game out of a tie for fifth and only one game out of a tie for third.
 
"Finishing in the eighth spot last year was exciting, but seeing how close we were to bumping up the table even further gives us that extra bit of incentive we need," said Egolf, who enters her third season as head coach of the Prairie Stars. "While we want to stay in that top eight, we want to continue to make our way up the table and compete for that conference title."
 
GLVC OUTLOOK
In 2017, Quincy University swept the GLVC regular-season and tournament titles with a 17-4-1 overall record and a 13-1 GLVC record. The GLVC secured three spots in the NCAA Division II Tournament as Quincy, McKendree University and Bellarmine University claimed No. 2, No. 4 and No. 6 seeds in the Midwest Region, respectively. Bellarmine topped third-seeded Ohio Valley University 3-0 before being eliminated by Quincy in a 2-1 decision. Top-seeded Grand Valley State University knocked Quincy in a 3-1 contest during the regional finals.
 
Quincy is ranked No. 11 in the USC NCAA Division II poll. Despite not receiving a national ranking, McKendree beat out Quincy for the No. 1 spot in the GLVC preseason coaches' poll.
 
UIS was slotted ninth in the preseason poll. Last year's NCAA Tournament qualifiers within the GLVC each received first-place votes in the GLVC preseason coaches' poll and received voting totals within 10 points of each other. McKendree was picked first with 159 points and six first-place votes. Quincy secured 151 points and five first-place voted. Bellarmine earned 149 points and the final three first-place votes.
 
Maryville University was selected fourth in the preseason poll, finishing ahead of Truman State University, Rockhurst, the University of Southern Indiana, Indianapolis, UIS, Lewis, the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL), Drury, William Jewell College and Missouri S&T, which rounds out the preseason poll.
 
TEAM STRENGTHS
UIS looks to utilize a dual-threat of skill and intellect for this year.
 
"Athletically, we are very gifted, but we also have a much higher soccer IQ this season."
 
The Prairie Stars return 56 percent of their starts from 2017, but bring back several minutes off the bench. In addition to returning the depth, the Prairie Stars brought in nine freshmen to further add to the depth.
 
"Furthermore, we are a lot deeper than we've been in seasons past. We have a great base of returning players, and the nine freshmen that we brought in have given us a lift. We have a lot of different players that can create in the attacking third as well."
 
STARS LOST
UIS graduated two major contributors on the defensive line Regina Bolin and Madisyn Coudriet, who started in 19 matches and 18 matches, respectively. Coudriet provided three goals and an assist for seven points, which included two game-winners. Bolin also added a goal for the Prairie Stars. Emily Matsen started in 17 matches; she netted four goals and two game-winners which both tied for the team lead. Kaylan Mills started in 18 matches and recorded three assists.
 
STARS RETURNING
Maggie Juhlin returns to the Prairie Stars after starting all 19 matches. The redshirt junior defender from Chatham, Ill. dished out four assists which tied for fifth in the GLVC last year and tied for second among UIS Division II single-season leaders. Among UIS Division II career leaders, Maggie Juhlin is tied for eighth in career assists (4) and tied for ninth in career points (12). Joining Maggie Juhlin on the defensive line is Emma Williams, who is UIS's second-of-two returning players to start all 19 matches last season.
 
Meghan Delaney returns as the team's top scorer from last season after starting 18 matches as a freshman. The sophomore forward from Sauget, Ill. notched 11 points off four goals and three assists. Delaney's point total is tied for fifth among UIS Division II single-season leaders. Taylor Mraz tallied three goals and three assists for nine points last season. The senior forward from Crystal Lake, Ill. is tied for eighth among UIS Division II leaders for single-season points. Among UIS Division II career leaders, Mraz is tied for fourth in career assists (6) and tied for ninth in career points (12).
 
Paloma Guijarro returns to the squad after starting six matches at goalkeeper last year. The senior from Waukegan, Ill. put together three shutouts last season while saving 23-of-27 shots for an .852 save percentage. Guijarro was tabbed a GLVC Defender of the Week last year, becoming the first player in program history to receive any player-of-the-week honor from the GLVC. Kayla Meyer provided 18 starts and three assists during her 2017 freshman campaign.
 
Players returning with double-digit starts last year include Maggie Juhlin, Williams, Delaney, Kayla Meyer, Mraz and Amanda Meyer. Also making their return for the Prairie Stars are Guijarro, Erin Bolskar, Valentina Rodriguez, Taylor Parriott, Jasmin Lisowski, Kimmie Rickson and Izabel Pina.
 
"Every returning player saw significant minutes last season, which is absolutely fantastic from an experience point of view. I expect every player on our roster to contribute in some capacity."
 
UIS women's soccer has taken major strides in development over recent years. The players who have had the closet view of the growth are the UIS seniors; Guijarro, Lisowski, Mraz and Rickson; and they look to add to the program's success during their senior year.
 
"We have 4 seniors this year that have experienced all sorts of results over their past 3 seasons, and I really hope we can send them out with a bang."
 
STARS ON THE RISE
UIS brings in a large incoming class of nine freshmen for the 2018 season. Freshman looking to make a difference this season include Brooklyn Blackwell, Sam Christensen, MaKayla Cox, Bailey Cross, Angela Dagnino, Ally Fischer, Lauren Griffin, Allison Hackett and Claire Sokol.
 
"As I previously stated, we brought in nine freshmen who will all contribute to our program. I am elated with what I have seen from this freshman class so far, and I am excited to see how their contributions play out as the season goes on."
 
A LOOK AT THE OPPONENTS
The Prairie Stars kick off the season by taking on Ohio Valley University on Thursday at 5 p.m. at Kiwanis Stadium. UIS then hosts Lindenwood on Saturday at 12 p.m. at Kiwanis Stadium.
 
Ohio Valley compiled a 16-1-3 overall record and a 12-0-1 record in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) last season. The Fighting Scots locked up the GMAC regular-season title and proceeded to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament by claiming the conference tournament title. Ohio Valley broke a 1-1 tie with Ohio Dominican University by winning the penalty-kick round in the GMAC Tournament Championship.
 
The Fighting Scots averaged 2.9 goals per match last season, which put them as the seventh-ranked offense in the nation. Ohio Valley, this year's favorite to win the GMAC, bring back several key players including three all-region selections, four all-conference selections and two major postseason award winners.
 
The Fighting Scots return Kostantina Giannou who as a freshman was tabbed a Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) first-team all-Midwest Region selection, the GMAC Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team all-GMAC selection. She notched 40 points on the season, providing Ohio Valley with 17 goals and six assists. With averages of 2.00 points and 0.85 goals, Giannou ranked No. 16 in the nation in both categories.
 
Ana Da Costa returns to Ohio Valley after being named a D2CCA first-team all-Midwest Region selection, the GMAC Defensive Player of the Year and a second-team all-GMAC selection. She turned in three goals for six points.
 
Ohio Valley also brings back Paula Valbuena. Valbuena as a freshman garnered D2CCA first team all-Midwest Region honors and first-team all-GMAC recognition. She contributed 27 points off nine goals and nine assists. Valbuena averaged 0.50 assists per match, which ranked No. 13 in the nation in 2017. Montserratt Grau returns to Ohio Valley after earning second-team all-GMAC honors. She produced nine points off two goals and five assists. Ohio Valley returns goalkeeper Kimberly Mora for her senior year, who recorded seven shutouts and an .806 save percentage. The Fighting Scots bring back 61 percent of last year's starts.
 
Lindenwood finished with a 5-12-1 record in 2017. The Lions' top-returning scorer is Katie Juhlin, the younger sister of Maggie Juhlin. Katie Juhlin found the back of the net three times last season for six points and was named to the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) All-Conference Honorable Mention. Alaina White also received MIAA All-Conference Honorable Mention after tallying an assist as well as starting 13 matches as a defender. Lindenwood also returns 61 percent of its starts from 2017.
 
"Ohio Valley and Lindenwood will be strong opponents. I expect both games to be extremely competitive, and I am confident that if we can play at the high level that I have seen from the girls so far, we will be in a good position to get the results we want."
 
PREPARING FOR GLVC SEASON
UIS expects to improve as the returners and newcomers continue to play with each other on the field, resulting in the ability to contend in the tough GLVC.
 
"I think as the team continues to play together, they will get more and more comfortable with the soccer side of the game. We are a young team, so decreasing the number of major mistakes will be critical. It's also a very tough conference, so making sure that the team is prepared and ready to battle in each game is essential. I am fully confident that our team has what it takes to be successful this year, and I am looking forward to a wonderful season!"