The Illinois Springfield men's soccer team opens Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) play Saturday when the Prairie Stars host No. 11 Lincoln at Kiwanis Stadium. The match, originally scheduled for 5:30 p.m., has been moved to 8:30 p.m. due to high temperatures expected in the Central Illinois area.
Saturday's Past, Present, and Future of UIS Soccer celebration will recognize the history, current leaders and future of the Prairie Stars program. The event will honor UIS soccer alumni, current senior student-athletes and young soccer players from the community. UIS Athletics will also host a water bottle giveaway, with free UIS-branded water bottles available to fans while supplies last.
Senior recognition will take place between the women's and men's matches, with the ceremony expected to begin shortly after 7:45 p.m.
The Prairie Stars enter GLVC play 0-2 following a pair of challenging non-conference contests. UIS opened the season with a 2-1 loss to Alabama-Huntsville before falling 4-0 at NCAA Division I Western Illinois.
UIS now faces a Lincoln team ranked No. 11 nationally and picked to win the GLVC in the conference's preseason coaches' poll.
The Prairie Stars and Blue Tigers played a tightly contested matchup last season in Jefferson City, Mo., with the teams battling to a 1-1 draw. UIS enters this year's conference opener with a more experienced roster and will look to start GLVC play with a strong performance at home.
Sophomore
Gentil Selemani has scored UIS' lone goal of the season. Goalkeeper
Kevin Kardel has also made an early impact as a freshman starter. Kardel recorded six saves in his collegiate debut against Alabama Huntsville, including several diving stops that kept the Prairie Stars within striking distance.
Lincoln enters Saturday's match with a 1-0-1 record. The Blue Tigers opened the season with a 2-2 draw at Saginaw Valley State before earning a 1-0 road victory at Northeastern State on Sunday. Pedro Gomes scored the game-winning goal against Northeastern State, while Gomes and Jerome Lawel have provided an active presence for Lincoln's attack early in the season.
Fans can attend Saturday's match in person by purchasing tickets through HomeTown Ticketing or at the gate. Prairie Stars Kids Club memberships and season passes are also available for fans looking to attend games throughout the season. Fans unable to attend can watch the match live on the GLVC Sports Network.
