Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The UIS Men’s Soccer team has been ranked 8th in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Coaches’ Poll for the upcoming fall 2025 season. This preseason ranking positions the Prairie Stars on track for a GLVC Tournament berth, which would mark their ninth consecutive appearance.
Lewis earned the top spot in the poll with 186 points and seven first-place votes, followed closely by McKendree with 184 points and six first-place votes. Maryville rounded out the top three with 168 points. UIS collected 113 points in the poll, narrowly behind Rockhurst (114) and Drury (116).
Under the leadership of second-year head coach Graham Shaw, UIS is poised to build on its strong tradition, having qualified for the conference tournament for eight straight seasons. Last year, the Prairie Stars entered the tournament as the seven seed but were edged out in a close overtime match against #2 Maryville, falling 3-2.
Returning contributors to the attack include Corne Boshoff and Josh Conrad, who will be instrumental in driving the team’s offensive efforts. The squad is further energized by the arrival of 22 newcomers, bringing depth to the lineup.
The Prairie Stars will face a challenging non-conference schedule, taking on formidable opponents such as Alabama-Huntsville, Saginaw Valley State, and Purdue Northwest. Their conference opener is scheduled for Sept. 14 at home against William Jewell, followed by a homecoming match against Quincy on Sept. 19. With the conference schedule intensifying as the season progresses, a strong performance in the early games will be crucial for the team’s success.
As the fall 2025 season approaches, UIS Men’s Soccer is ready to compete and uphold its tradition of excellence in the GLVC.
