The University of Illinois Springfield women's soccer team is off to its best start in program history. It will look to continue that success on the road this week with trips to Southern Indiana and McKendree, the top two teams in this year's GLVC preseason poll.
 
The Prairie Stars saw both of their games last week end on an overtime penalty kick. UIS was awarded the kick in a 2-1 win over Missouri-St. Louis on Friday, but was on the other end of the penalty kick in a 2-1 loss at Lindenwood on Sunday.
 
UIS is currently 4-1-1 on the year, and 2-1-0 in conference action. The team is tied for third in the conference standings with 2.00 points per game.
 
The Prairie Stars are currently sixth in the conference with 1.50 goals per game, and third with 1.33 assists per contest. Defensively, they are sixth with a 0.80 GAA.
 
Sierra Cenek has four goals on the season to lead the UIS offense. She is second in the league in scoring. Goalkeeper Allison Mirimanian currently has a 0.80 GAA, and an .848 save percentage which is fourth in the league.
 
Each individual GLVC school will determine their own attendance policy for women's soccer. Please check the policies of the home teams if interested in attending a contest. (USI | McKendree)
 
UIS vs. Southern Indiana
Date/Time/Location: Friday, Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m. – Evansville, Ind.
Streaming: https://www.glvcsn.com/usi  
Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/usi/wsoc/
All-Time Series: USI leads 10-0-2 (USI leads 6-0-0 in Evansville)
 
Southern Indiana opened up the season with a pair of victories, but is just 0-2-1 since then. In conference play, it has a 2-1 loss to McKendree and a 1-0 setback against Indianapolis.
 
The Screaming Eagles have scored four goals this season, and allowed just three. They are being outscored 3-1 in their two GLVC contests.
 
Jill DiTusa has one of the team's goals, and has a team-high seven shots on goal. Maya Etienne has started four games in goal. She has a 0.71 GAA and a .824 save percentage.
 
UIS is looking for its first win over Southern Indiana in the 13th matchup between the two schools. Last year, Southern Indiana had a 1-0 victory in Springfield, Ill.
 
UIS vs. McKendree
Date/Time/Location: Sunday, Sept. 26, 5:00 p.m. – Lebanon, Ill.
Streaming: https://www.glvcsn.com/mckendree  
Live Stats: https://mckbearcats.com/sidearmstats/wsoc/media
All-Time Series: McK leads 10-1-0 (McK leads 5-0-0 in Lebanon)
 
McKendree is the defending GLVC Champions, and opened the season ranked fourth in NCAA Division II. The Bearcats are currently 3-1-2 on the year, and 1-1-1 in conference play.
 
McKendree is one of the top scoring teams in the conference, averaging 1.67 goals a game. On defense, it is eighth with a 1.08 GAA.
 
Emma Knoebel is the team's offensive leader with three goals and one assist. She has two game-winning goals this season. In goal, Abby Tucker has appeared in five games. She has a 1.13 GAA and a .750 save percentage.
 
McKendree has won six straight over UIS, including a 1-0 victory last season in Springfield, Ill.
 
Up Next
UIS starts a three-game homestand on Oct. 1 with a 5:00 p.m. Homecoming Game against Lewis.