The University of Illinois Springfield women's soccer team heads into the last home weekend of conference play looking to build on recent success. The Prairie Stars face Missouri-St. Louis on Friday night at 5:00 p.m. to celebrate Senior Night, and McKendree on Sunday at 12:00 p.m.

UIS (6-3-4, 6-2-1)

UIS is currently 3rd in the GLVC standings after a six-point weekend on the road. 

On Friday night, the Prairie Stars ran riot against William Jewell, coming away with a 4-0 victory. Sierra Cenek scored the first hat-trick of her career with goals in the 3rd, 62nd, and 76th minutes. Katelyn Cavanaugh also scored her first career goal from a Cenek assist. Other assists in the match were credited to Abby Dellamorte (2) and Carolyne Mathenia. Dellamorte now has 12 career assists, which puts her in a tie for the most in school history. The Prairie Stars fired off 16 shots with 9 on target, compared to Jewell's 4 shots with 3 on target. Allison Mirimanian made three saves to record her fourth shutout of the season. 

Sunday afternoon the Prairie Stars lined up against the Rockhurst Hawks, which would turn out to be a pivotal match with regards to conference standings. The first-half which seemed to be dominated by the Hawks saw UIS jump out to a lead in the 16th minute as Abby Dellamorte converted a penalty kick after getting fouled in the box. Rockhurst would equalize in the 43rd minute from Jacqueline Nieters as she followed the ball in off of a rebound. In the second-half chances were few and far in between, but Sierra Cenek once again stepped up as she scored two more goals to cap a five-goal weekend. The first came in the 62nd minute as the Rockhurst goalkeeper fumbled a cross that Cenek was there to put home. Her second goal of the afternoon came from a sweeping move across the field in which Greta Kohnz found Brooke Biffar on the right side before Biffar put in a great cross in which Cenek met with her head. Both Kohnz and Biffar were credited with the assist on the goal. For her efforts over the weekend, Sierra Cenek earned the program's first GLVC Offensive Player of the Week Award and United Soccer Coaches College Player of the Week Award. 

 

Missouri - St. Louis (5-4-3, 4-3-1)

UMSL currently 7th in the GLVC standings after picking up three points last weekend. 

Friday night saw the Tritons line up against the Upper Iowa Peacocks, in what would be a huge victory for UMSL. The Tritons shot early and often on the Peacocks, as the game finished 13-3 in shots with UMSL holding an 8-1 advantage in shots on target. The scoring started in the 35th minute as Candice Parziani converted a penalty kick. The next three goals all came from Kendal White in a ten-minute period. The fifth and final goal of the game occurred in the 55th minute as Josie Maddox scored her second of the year. 

Sunday's match between UMSL and Truman State was postponed. 

The Tritons are led by Jada Holloman who has registered 5 goals and 1 assist on the year. Kendal White follows close behind with 4 goals and 1 assist of her own. Jaycee Cotton has 3 goals and 1 assist as well. Emily Bloomfield, Kayley Judy, Candice Parziani, and Josie Maddox all have 2 goals as well. Bloomfield also leads the team with 3 assists on the season.

UIS vs. UMSL History 

UIS holds an 8-5-2 record against UMSL while recording seven straight victories. During the regular season the Prairie Stars won on a goal from Abby Dellamorte. In the GLVC Tournament Semi-Finals, UIS battled back and scored two goals in two minutes, from Dani Auble and Ally Lassetter to record the win and advance to the Championship Match. 

 

McKendree (9-1-3, 5-1-3)

McKendree sits 4th in the GLVC table, only 1 point behind the Prairie Stars after winning both matches last weekend. 

Friday night proved to be a tough matchup as the Bearcats faced the Bulldogs of Truman State. Both teams registered two shots each in the first-half, resulting in a 0-0 scoreline at halftime. McKendree flipped the switch at the half, as they came out firing in the second-half. The lone goal of the game came from Anna Stiffler in the 74th minute. McKendree outshot TSU 11-2 with a 6-0 advantage in shots on goal. 

Sunday afternoon was a much different game against Upper Iowa. McKendree scored early and often as they ran away with a 4-0 win at home. Anna Stiffler was once again on the scoresheet as she netted the opener in the 11th minute. Another high level second-half from the Bearcats occurred as they proceeded to score another three goals. The goals came from: Katie Spotanski, Maggie Gleckler, and Gillian Nicholson. McKendree outshot UIU 17-3 with an 8-1 advantage in shots on target. 

McKendree's top threat is Anna Stiffler, who has scored 7 goals and provided 3 assists on the year. Destiny Johnson and Reagan Mauch also have 3 goals and 1 assist on the year. Four Bearcats have 2 goals this season; Lena Higgins, Katie Spotanski, Maggie Gleckler, and Gillian Nicholson. The top assister for the Bearcats is Lena Higgins, who has 5. 

The Bearcats travel to Quincy on Friday night before playing in Springfield on Sunday.

UIS vs. McKendree History 

UIS holds a 1-12 record all-time against McKendree. The lone Prairie Star win came in 2014 in Springfield. Last year's match was a tight 2-0 victory for the Bearcats in Springfield. 

 

Up Next

The Stars hit the road again for their last conference matches of the year against Lewis (10/27) and Indianapolis (10/29).