7/26/2024 1:00:00 PM
The UIS men's soccer program has released its schedule for the fall 2024 campaign, its first season under the leadership of Head Coach Graham Shaw.
The team will play two scrimmages early on, the first at Illinois College on Aug. 21 and the second at home versus Millikin on Aug 23.
The Prairie Stars will start the regular season with non-conference matches against Purdue Northwest and Wisconsin Parkside before conference play begins at William Jewell on Sept. 15
"Five teams from the GLVC made the NCAA tournament second round last season and Lewis made it to the final four," shared Coach Shaw. "It shows just how strong the conference is. Our opening games are against Purdue Northwest and UW Parkside, both of which made the NCAA tournament last year. Those games will help us prepare well before we start GLVC conference play. On a personal note, it will be nice going back to Maryville university where I started my college coaching career."
Key Regular-Season Matchups
Parkside (9.12 | Kiwanis Stadium)
The first home game of the regular season comes against a familiar opponent in Parkside, with the teams having played eachother twenty-three times since 2009. UIS has a 12-9-2 record against the Rangers historically, but tied 1-1 in Kenosha last season. The Rangers were crowned GLIAC Regular Season Champions in 2023, but fell in the Tournament Semifinals in penalty kicks. Parkside has made every possible NCAA Tournament since 2019 and looks to continue their success.
Southwest Baptist (9.27 | Kiwanis Stadium)
UThe Prairie Stars welcome the Bearcats to Kiwanis Stadium again for their annual Homecoming game, hoping to continue their recent success against SBU. This will be the fifth time that the two meet, with UIS having won all four previous matchups. In those matchups, UIS scored nineteen goals and allowed just two. Last season's game ended in a huge win for the Prairie Stars, 7-0. SBU finished the regular season in 13th.
McKendree (10.18 | Leemon Field)
A long-standing rivalry continues between the UIS Prairie Stars and McKendree Bearcats in the middle of October. The Bearcats finished the 2023 GLVC Regular Season in fourth place, but lost to UIS in the GLVC Tournament Semifinals. This was UIS's first win over McKendree since 2018, although the Prairie Stars hold a 35-15-5 overall record against the Bearcats. McKendree was able to win their first ever NCAA Tournament game in school history, but ultimately fell in the Round of 16 to Maryville in penalties.
Maryville (10.20 | Maryville Soccer Field)
The Prairie Stars and Saints have both been successful in recent years in both the GLVC and NCAA Tournament, but this season will look different as head coach Adam Hall is now at the helm of the Maryville program. UIS holds an 11-7-3 record against Maryville, including a 1-0 win in Springfield in 2023. Maryville finished the GLVC Regular Season in 5th place and lost their Quarterfinal matchup. The Saints advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for back-to-back seasons, and have appeared in every NCAA Tournament since 2017.
Indianapolis (10.25 | Key Stadium)
The Indianapolis Greyhounds, a powerhouse in the Midwest Region, had a successful 2023 season in which they won the GLVC Tournament in penalty kicks over the Prairie Stars. The Prairie Stars have just one win over the Greyhounds in program history, which came in 2018. The teams have played to four draws, including both of their regular-season meetings in 2022 and 2023. UIndy finished the GLVC Regular Season in third place and captured their fourth GLVC Tournament Title last season. Indianapolis has appeared in every NCAA Tournament since 2019.
Lewis (11.3 | Kiwanis Stadium)
The reigning representative of the Midwest Region at the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament look to build off their 2023 success. The Prairie Stars defeated Lewis in Romeoville to win the GLVC Regular Season Title meaning the Flyers finished in second. Lewis still made the NCAA Tournament where they got revenge and knocked the Stars out of the tournament on penalty kicks in Springfield. Lewis went on to win two more games against GLVC opponents to advance to the Final Four. UIS holds a 12-13-2 overall record against Lewis, with their last loss in regular time coming in 2019.
Postseason
The GLVC Tournament will begin with the quarterfinal round on Sunday, Nov. 10. The semifinals and finals will be played the following weekend, Nov. 15-17. One week later, NCAA first and second round games will be played at campus sites.
Ticket Information
UIS Athletics has announced that HomeTown Ticketing will be its official ticketing partner beginning in the 2024-25 school year. The platform will allow Prairie Stars fans to purchase tickets digitally and scan them via mobile device at the gate before the game. Tickets for home events can be purchased on the UIS Athletics Box Office webpage or on the HomeTown Fan App (available for iOS and Android devices). Fans can favorite University of Illinois Springfield on the app for a streamlined experience. UIS fans will be able to purchase single-game tickets for soccer games beginning on Aug. 5. Single-game general admission tickets will be sold for $8 per ticket. Admission is free for youth ages twelve and under, UIS students with a valid Icard, and UIS faculty and staff.
Streaming
Regular season home games and all games against GLVC opponents will be streamed on the GLVC Sports Network (GLVCSN) free of charge. Pay-per-view coverage of the GLVC Tournament will also air on GLVCSN.
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Complete Schedule
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