The University of Illinois Springfield women's soccer team continues their non-conference schedule with a game away to Ohio Dominican on Wednesday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. Central time. The Prairie Stars then begin GLVC play on Sunday with an away game against William Jewell at 12:00 p.m.
UIS (0-1-1)
UIS opened the 2024 season with two home matches, on Thursday against Findlay and on Sunday against No. 21 Central Missouri.
In the home opener on Thursday afternoon against Findlay, both the Prairie Stars and Oilers had a tame first half with many half-chances falling to both sides. The deadlock was broken in the 22nd minute as Anna Schurz won the ball in Findlay's half and rifled a shot into the top left corner from outside the box. Findlay increased the pressure in the second half, and it paid off in the 78th minute as Sydney Noble latched onto a through ball from Ava Ayers to finish into the bottom corner to tie the game. The contest finished 1-1 as UF outshot UIS 15-9 with a 7-6 advantage in shots on goal.
Sunday's game came against the nationally-ranked Central Missouri Jennies, who showcased their ability throughout the contest. Lexi Ruf opened the scoring for UCM in the 3rd minute with a tap into an open net after the ball bounced around the Prairie Star six-yard box. Caroline Cole increased the lead in the 22nd minute. The Jennies added another goal in the 38th minute as Mikayla Ernst took a shot that deflected off a Prairie Star and snuck in. Ernst scored her second of the day just four minutes later as she headed home from a corner. The second half saw little action as Central Missouri was able to seal a 4-0 win on the road. UCM outshot UIS 12-8 with a 6-3 advantage in shots on goal.
Ohio Dominican (0-2)
The Panthers started the season with two away games, both losses.
The season opener for ODU came in Indianapolis against the Greyhounds. The Panthers took the lead in the 29th minute as Meghan Coakley finished a great set piece routine. The Greyhounds tied the game thirty seconds later after the ODU goalkeeper tried to clear the ball but it hit a UIndy forward and went into the goal. Indianapolis scrambled home a corner in the 60th minute to take a 2-1 lead, where the game would end. UIndy outshot Ohio Dominican 15-12, but the Panthers held a 9-4 advantage in shots on goal.
The Panthers then traveled to Rochester, New York to take on Roberts Wesleyan. RWU opened the scoring in the 16th minute following a corner taken quickly. The Redhawks doubled their lead in the 53rd minute with great play down the left wing to find an open player in the center for a simple finish. RWU closed the game out professionally for a 2-0 win. The Redhawks outshot the Panthers in overall shots, 14-5, and shots on goal, 9-3.
UIS vs. Ohio Dominican History
The Prairie Stars and Panthers have only met once before in program history. ODU won the 2019 contest 2-1 in a back-and-forth affair at Kiwanis Stadium.
William Jewell (1-1)
The Cardinals began the season with an important win at home before suffering a loss on the road.
Jewell began their season with a home game against Newman, which turned out to be a wild game featuring a lightning delay. The Cardinals opened the scoring in the 13th minute as Lux Sands beat the Newman goalkeeper to a loose ball and crossed the ball back to Clara Fronabarger to finish into an open goal. Lux Sands got on the scoresheet herself in the 21st minute as she intercepted a pass from Newman's center back and finished coolly into the bottom right corner to double the lead. Jewell was shown a red card in the 32nd minute to give Newman a way back into the game, but the Cardinals were able to preserve the win and clean sheet. Newman outshot Jewell in both overall shots, 11-9, and shots on goal, 7-5.
The Cardinals traveled to Wayne State on Sunday to take on the Wildcats. WSC had their way the entire afternoon, running away with a 4-0 win. The scoring opened in the 19th minute following a shot from 30 yards out. Wayne State doubled their lead in the 34th minute with a great pass across the box to tap in the second. The Wildcats added to their lead at the start of the second half with a tap-in from very close range after a huge deflection from a Cardinal defender. WSC scored their fourth and final goal in the 60th minute on a counterattack that ended with a goal coming from a backpost shot. The Wildcats outshot the Cardinals 23-4, including a 12-1 advantage in shots on goal.
UIS vs. William Jewell History
UIS holds a 4-8-1 overall record against William Jewell, but has seen more success recently. The Prairie Stars have won three of the past four contests against the Cardinals, including a 4-0 result in Liberty, Mo. last season.
Prairie Stars fans can find live statistics and video linked on the UIS Women's Soccer schedule.