Illinois Springfield (1-11-3, 1-8-3) fell 4-3 to Southwest Baptist (7-5-2, 4-5-2) on Saturday in men's soccer. The Prairie Stars scored all three of their goals in the first half and put 10 of 12 shots on goal, while Southwest Baptist recorded the game's  only goal after halftime.

UIS fell behind 1-0 on Southwest Baptist's opening goal at 18:13 before Robin Lemke Bergseth equalized in the 37th minute off an assist from Promis Ahupa. Southwest Baptist quickly scored twice more to take a 3-1 lead, but the Prairie Stars responded with Lemke Bergseth's second goal of the half at 37:00, assisted by Leo Sanches, and another at 38:50 off Ahupa's assist to even the score at 3-3 heading into halftime. Kevin Kardel made three saves in the half.

Southwest Baptist broke a 3-3 tie at 64:09 when Luis Sanchez-Barbudo Cruz scored off Joe Wright's assist, leaving the Prairie Stars to chase the match for the final stretch. Illinois Springfield generated five shots from 68:19 through 79:00, including one saved attempt by Donovan Faletto and three by Sanches, but Jan-Henry Schafer kept each on-frame chance out. The Prairie Stars were held scoreless in the second half and fell 4-3.

Lemke Bergseth scored three goals for a hat trick and put all four of his shots on goal. Ahupa recorded two assists. Sanches added an assist and finished with four shots, including three on goal. Kardel made six saves in 90 minutes.

"It was a game with plenty of chances and goals. We gave away too many easy chances to find ourselves down 3-1, but credit to the lads for fighting back to make it 3-3 by halftime. In the second half, the game became too transitional, and we got caught on a counterattack for their fourth goal. We have two games left to finish the season on a positive note," said head coach Graham Shaw.

Up next, the Prairie Stars host McKendree at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Kiwanis Stadium.


UIS thanks CEFCU for its partnership and continued support of UIS soccer. Learn more about CEFCU.