Sparked by a pair of early goals, the University of Illinois Springfield men's soccer team earned a victory in its season opener on Friday at Kiwanis Stadium. With the 3-2 win over Davenport, the Prairie Stars have now gone 18 straight games without a loss on home Friday night contests.
 
UIS need just 4:20 to score its first goal of the season after it was awarded a penalty kick. Browel Some converted the kick for a 1-0 lead. Just over six minutes later, the Prairie Stars scored again, this time on a Luke Ridley shot with an assist from Rory Carlson. Davenport did get one back in the 39th minute, but UIS led at the break.
 
In the second half, the Prairie Stars grabbed another two-goal lead in the 57th minute. Robin Hendriks scored this goal, and Carlson earned another assist. Davenport got within one again in the 73rd minute, but UIS did not allow another shot on goal.
 
Davenport finished with a 17-13 advantage in total shots, but UIS had a 7-6 lead in shots on goal. Pijus Petkevicius made four saves in goal to earn the victory for the Prairie Stars.
 
UIS will be back in action on Sunday with a neutral site game in St. Louis, Mo. against nationally-ranked Lynn.