TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State men's soccer team will host two matches this weekend as it opens up MIAA play. The RiverHawks first will play No. 20 Lindenwood at 7 p.m. Sept. 24. NSU will then close out the weekend against Upper Iowa at noon Sept. 26. Both matches will be contested at DeLoache Field.
 
The RiverHawks are an even 3-3 this season but are an undefeated 2-0 at home in Tahlequah. They are coming off a four-game road trip that saw them go 1-3, with the lone win coming against Oklahoma Baptist (5-1). NSU actually outscored its opponents 7-4 on the road trip, but the goals didn't come at the right times. Eight different players have scored goals over the season for Northeastern State, with sophomore midfielder Trevor Reed's four leading the way. Redshirt freshman midfielder Joseph Garcia is second on the team with two goals scored. Garcia also has an assist. Senior goalkeeper Eric Shephard has played every minute in goal and has allowed seven goals. He currently boasts a 1.17 goals against average and has made 32 saves.

THE SERIES
Northeastern State and Lindenwood have six all-time meetings, which have all been since they both joined the MIAA in 2012. The RiverHawks lead the series 3-2-1 after winning all three matchups last season. The Lions earned a 0-0 home draw in 2012 and then defeated NSU 1-0 in the finals of the 2012 MIAA Championship. LWU defeated Northeastern State 2-1 in Tahlequah in 2013, but that was the last decision the team would collect in the series. Northeastern State picked up a 1-0 road victory last season and defeated Lindenwood 2-0 at home later in the year. The RiverHawks then earned a 2-1 triumph over the Lions in the finals of the 2014 MIAA Championship.

Northeastern State and Upper Iowa have five all-time meetings that have come since the two teams joined the MIAA in 202. The RiverHawks have never lost to the Peacocks, which includes a three-match sweep last season. NSU defeated UIU 3-0 at home in 2012 and won 2-1 on the road in 2013. The RiverHawks won the home-and-home series last year (including a 3-2 overtime win in Fayette), and then earned a 2-1 victory in the semifinals of the MIAA Championship. NSU has outscored UIU 14-5 all-time.

SCOUTING THE LIONS
Lindenwood University is located in St. Charles, Missouri, and the team competes in the MIAA alongside Northeastern State. The Lions are 3-1-1 overall and coming off a 1-0 win over Maryville. They also own victories over Drury (4-2) and Quincy (3-1), along with a 5-5 draw with Rockhurst. The lone loss was to Christian Brothers (2-1). The team's most dangerous goal scorer is Alfredo Paez. He has scored three times this season and also has an assist. Senior forward Andre Hayne has put in three goals as well. Nijaz Muratovic is another threat with the ball, as he's completed five assists this season as well as scoring a goal. Andrew Hamerlinck (2-1-1) has spent 380 minutes in goal and owns a .615 saves percentage to go along with a 2.37 goals-against average.

SCOUTING THE PEACOCKS
Upper Iowa is located in Fayette, Iowa, and the team competes in the MIAA in men's soccer only. The Peacocks are off to their best start to a season in program history with an unblemished 5-0-1 mark. They are the first team outside the top 25 in the current NSCAA national rankings, which is their highest ranking in school history. They own wins over Wisconsin-Parkside (3-1), Lewis (1-0), Adams State (3-0), Colorado Christian (2-1) and Union (2-1). The team's lone draw was against West Alabama (0-0). Greg Marshall has been a huge weapon for the Peacocks and has scored five goals so far this season. Rhys Williams is not far behind with three goals of his own. Connor Rortvedt has been phenomenal between the posts. He has only allowed three goals through six matches while making 27 saves. He ranks 11th nationally in goals-against average (0.48) and eighth in saves percentage (.900).