The UIS men's soccer team will continue their GLVC schedule on the road before hosting their final non-conference game this weekend. UIS takes on Indianapolis on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Central (7:30 Eastern) and St. Cloud State on Sunday at 12:00 p.m.

Illinois Springfield (4-5-4, 4-3-4 GLVC)

The Prairie Stars enter the weekend in fifth place after going 0-1-1 last weekend against McKendree and Maryville. On Friday night, they traveled to Lebanon, Ill., to face No. 8 McKendree. The Prairie Stars got off to a fast start when Corne Boshoff rebounded his own shot and finished into the top corner in the 7th minute. The Bearcats responded and equalized in the 27th minute. Matthaeus Hirschmann intercepted an attempted pass and flashed a shot past Joe Brudnak in goal to tie the game. McKendree took a lead in the 39th minute when Philipp Schmidt's cross found Adam Reiniger who headed the ball into the net to give the Bearcats a lead. The second half featured few chances with both defenses standing firm. McKendree was able to score an insurance goal in the 88th minute as Bailey Winchurch capitalized on a free kick opportunity. McKendree proved their national ranking by outshooting UIS 23-8, with a clear 12-4 advantage in shots on goal.

Sunday's matchup was against Maryville, marking the first time former UIS head coach Adam Hall faced the Prairie Stars with his new team. UIS struck early once again, with Cullen Ogbuke receiving a pass from Gabe Smyth, beating his defender, and finishing past the Saints goalkeeper in the 4th minute. However, Maryville quickly turned the game around with two rapid goals from Omar Cllic. The first came in the 8th minute when Yayo Mutombo raced down the right wing and crossed to Cllic, who headed it in. Shortly after, Bryce Glisson collected a loose ball and set Cllic up for his second goal in the 15th minute, giving the Saints the lead. Maryville maintained their first-half dominance, continually putting pressure on the UIS defense. However, the second half was much more balanced, with both teams creating opportunities. The Prairie Stars equalized in the 64th minute after Cullen Ogbuke found space on the right side and delivered a cross to a wide-open Kevin Herrera. In the final minute, Lucas Harris received a straight red card, leaving UIS to finish the match with ten players. Maryville finished with a slight edge in total shots, 16-11, and shots on goal, 7-4.

Three Prairie Stars have scored three goals this season: Joey Fitzgerald, Corne Boshoff, and Anton Aduwa-Emovon. Fitzgerald also leads the team with seven assists. Joe Brudnak and Edoardo Pinna have split time in net this season. Brudnak has started eight games, allowing nine goals. Pinna has started five games, allowing 12 goals. 

RV Indianapolis (8-3-2, 8-1-2 GLVC)

The Greyhounds enter the weekend leading the conference standings even after going 0-1-1 last weekend against Maryville and UMSL. UIndy is currently receiving votes in the national poll after falling out of the top-25 this week. Friday afternoon, UIndy took on Maryville in St. Louis, looking to continue their perfect start to the conference season. MU came out with different plans, taking the lead in the seventh minute through Bryce Glisson. The Saints scored a second goal in the 15th minute as Mason Crew directed a header on-goal, which was fumbled by the Indianapolis goalkeeper. Maryville continued their dominance into the second half and were able to score another goal in the 56th minute as Yayo Mutombo drove a low shot into the corner. Indianapolis was unable to generate any offense as they slumped to their first loss in conference play. MU outshot UIndy 10-4, with both teams recording three shots on goal. 

Sunday's game came against a determined UMSL team looking to play spoiler. The first half was uneventful, with neither team generating significant scoring chances. The second half came to life in the 52nd minute when UIndy committed a foul in the box, resulting in a penalty kick. Jon Campbell confidently stepped up for the Tritons, converting the penalty to give UMSL a 1-0 lead. Indianapolis responded by ramping up their pressure on the UMSL goal and finally found the equalizer in the 72nd minute with Jona Hogle's first goal of the season. Neither team created any additional scoring opportunities, and the match concluded with both sides earning a point. UIndy had a slight edge in shots, finishing with nine to UMSL's eight, and both teams recorded three shots on goal.

Three Greyhounds have also scored three goals this season: Lucas Bedleg, Jakob David, Alvaro Sanchez. Another three players have scored two goals. Roman Beko leads the team in assists, dishing out six so far. Ionas Giovanidis has started the last 11 games in goal for the Hounds, allowing nine goals. 

UIS vs. Indianapolis History 

The Prairie Stars have had trouble against the Greyhounds historically, holding a 1-13-4 all time record. The last three meetings ended in draws. The lone win in the series for UIS came in 2018 in Indianapolis. Last year, UIndy topped UIS in penalty kicks in the GLVC Tournament final. 

St. Cloud State (7-6, 5-4 GLIAC)

The Huskies enter the weekend also leading their conference, the GLIAC. SCSU is currently on a four-game losing streak, with two losses to both Saginaw Valley and Davenport. Friday night, St. Cloud State welcomed Davenport to Husky Stadium looking to get back in the win column. The game almost got off to the perfect start for the Huskies as they were awarded a penalty kick in the first thirty seconds of the game. Mika Folstad stepped up but saw his spot kick saved. Both teams traded chances, but neither could convert. Davenport finally opened the scoring in the 55th minute when Valerii Burlacenco latched onto a misplaced pass from SCSU, scoring his second goal of the season. Neither team was able to score again despite many more chances. SCSU outshot Davenport 16-12, with a 7-3 advantage in shots on goal. 

Sunday's matchup came against Saginaw Valley State (SVSU), the second time the teams have met in the last two weeks. The first half was all SVSU as they raced out to a 2-0 lead with goals in the 13th and 42nd minutes. SCSU upped the tempo in the second half, creating the better opportunities. The Huskies clawed back into the game when Eduardo Balduino scored his second goal of the season in the 80th minute to set up a grandstand final ten minutes. Nevertheless, SCSU was unable to find the back of the net again as they suffered their fourth defeat in four games. SVSU outshout SCSU 18-12, with a 6-4 advantage in shots on goal. 

Philip Caputo leads the Huskies in both goals and assists, scoring 11 and assisting five. The next highest scorer has three. Mika Folstad and Andrew Holmes have both provided four assists for SCSU this season. Ramy Atia has started all 13 games in goal for St. Cloud State, allowing 17 goals in this time.

UIS vs. St. Cloud State History

This marks the first time in history that the two schools will face each other on the pitch.