The University of Illinois Springfield women's soccer team heads into the second weekend of conference play preparing for two road games. The Prairie Stars face GLVC newcomer Upper Iowa on Friday night at 5:00 p.m., and travel to Truman State for a Sunday afternoon matchup at 2:30 p.m. 

UIS (1-2-3)
UIS notched their first win of the season over the weekend after two good team performances. 

Friday night saw the Prairie Stars welcome regionally ranked Maryville for a huge conference matchup to start the conference schedule. The Stars started extremely well as senior Abby Dellamorte headed in a corner from Brooke Biffar to record her first goal of the season. This joy was short lived though, as Maryville marched down the field to level the scores one minute and four seconds later. Chances fell to both teams as the game continued, but Maryville ultimately found the winning recipe as the Saints scored with less than two minutes on the clock to shock the Stars. 

The Prairie Stars aimed to mend their heartbreak from Friday night as they faced Missouri S&T on Sunday. The Stars controlled the match on Sunday for large portions, as they totaled 67% of possession. This control was shown in UIS's 19 shots (9 on target), compared to S&T's 7 shots (1 on target). This constant pressure finally resulted in a goal in the 27 minute as the true freshman, Carolyne Mathenia, scored her first collegiate goal with a left footed strike into the top corner off a great through ball from Abby Dellamorte. The Stars never looked back from there as they recorded their first win of the 2023 season. Junior goalkeeper Allison Mirimanian also recorded her first shutout of the year.

Upper Iowa (1-3-1)
Newcomers to the GLVC Upper Iowa began their conference schedule in Kirksville, Mo. against Truman State on Sunday.

The first half was even between the opponents, as the Peacocks were able to open the scoring at 12 minutes. The goal came from Rachyl Benavides as Emma Johnston recorded the assist. This lead was short lived as Truman came right back down the field and scored just 53 seconds later.

Currently the Peacocks have four different players that have each scored one goal on the year. Another key player for Upper Iowa is Haylie Hutchinson, who has recorded three assists through the first five games of the season. 

UIS vs Upper Iowa History
This is the first time that the Prairie Stars and Peacocks will meet.

Truman State (1-2-3)
The Bulldogs look to return to the GLVC Tournament after disappointment in the 2022 season. 

Truman State's final non conference match last week saw the Bulldogs record their first win of the season against Graceland (Iowa). Truman State's sole conference matchup last weekend was against Upper Iowa. A 1-1 draw saw both teams come away with a point, even after a dominant second half from the Bulldogs. In a second half which saw Truman State fire off 11 shots to Upper Iowa's 3, the Bulldogs couldn't find the game-winner.

Four different players have scored a goal for Truman this year, as Olivia Morris and Emma Thompson also have 2 assists to go along with their goal for 4 points on the year. Lia Quintero, a dangerous freshman forward, has rattled off nine shots, six on goal, one resulting in a goal.

Truman State hosts Quincy on Friday night before welcoming the Stars on Sunday.

UIS vs Truman State History
UIS currently holds a 1-7-1 record against Truman State. In recent years this match has been close and competitive between the two. UIS recorded their all-time first win against the Bulldogs with a 1-0 decision in Kirksville last year. 

Up Next 
The Stars continue GLVC play with an away matchup against in-state rival Quincy on Sunday, Oct. 1.