The UIS men's soccer team faced a tough challenge on Sunday, going up against the Maryville Saints in a tightly contested match. The result was a 2-2 draw that kept both teams in the middle of the race for a spot in the upcoming GLVC tournament.

Game Summary

• The first half was competitive, marked by early excitement and a series of back-and-forth exchanges. UIS struck first with a goal from Cullen Ogbuke just three minutes into the match, assisted by Gabe Smyth
• Maryville quickly responded, with Omar Cllic scoring twice in quick succession—first at the 8-minute mark and again in the 14th minute—tying the game and then taking a 2-1 lead
• UIS generated several opportunities, including a blocked shot from Noah Brill and a corner kick, but could not find the equalizer before the halftime whistle
• Maryville's Mason Crew tested UIS goalkeeper Edoardo Pinna with a low shot but Pinna made the save to keep UIS in contention
• UIS rallied back to equalize at 2-2 when Kevin Herrera scored a crucial goal in the 64th minute, capitalizing on a long cross from Cullen Ogbuke amidst defensive miscommunication by the Saints
•  Following the goal, UIS maintained pressure, with Herrera and other forwards taking several shots at the Maryville goal
• On the defensive end, UIS goalkeeper Edoardo Pinna was pivotal, making key saves to keep the match tied. He stopped a low shot from Mason Crew and dealt effectively with other attempts from Maryville, including a critical save on a strong effort from Louis LeBars
• Lucas Harris received a red card with just seconds remaining, leaving UIS a man down as time was nearly up. Maryville made one last attempt, but the shot was a miss
• Edoardo Pinna totaled five saves in the draw
• The Prairie Stars registered 11 shots, with four on target, while Maryville fired off 16 shots, seven of which were on goal

Stats at a Glance
UIS Goals: Ogbuke 4', Herrera 64'
Maryville Goals: Cllic 9', Cllic 14'
Shots: UIS 11 (4 on goal), Maryville 16 (7 on goal)
Saves: UIS 5 (Pinna), Maryville 2
Corners: UIS 3, Maryville 2
Yellow Cards: UIS 2, Maryville 2
Red Cards: UIS 1, Maryville 0
Fouls: UIS 13, Maryville 9
Offsides: UIS 2, Maryville 1

Up Next
UIS will go on the road again next weekend for a matchup against Indianapolis, scheduled for Friday night at 6:30 p.m. Central time (7:30 p.m. Eastern). The Prairie Stars will then host St. Cloud State for a non-conference game at noon on Sunday.

Around the GLVC
Missouri S&T 2, Upper Iowa 0
Illinois Springfield 2, Maryville 2
Lewis 1, Lincoln 0
Quincy 4, Drury 0
Indianapolis 1, Missouri-St. Louis 1
Rockhurst 2, William Jewell 1
Truman 2, Southwest Baptist 0