SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - In a hotly contested matchup between the men's soccer team and Illinois-Springfield, the Prairie Stars had just enough in a 3-2 win over Davenport in the season opener. The Panthers got off to a slow start allowing a penalty kick goal in the fifth minute and then a goal in the 11th minute by Luke Ridley.

The Panthers cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 39th minute as senior captain Daire O'Riordan went low right for the goal with an assist from Evan Marquess. Robin Hendriks scored in the 57th minute for UIS and their two-goal cushion was back.

Marquess went high right in the 73rd minute for DU to once again climb back within a goal unassisted. The Panthers were looking to level things up but receiving two red cards in the 81st minute as Micaiah Papa and Cian Quinn were sent off. The Prairie Stars were playing two up until the 87th minute when Lars Brinkman was also issued a red card. DU could not find the equalizer as Marquess had the final shot of the match with 14 seconds left but it was blocked by UIS.

The final stats read DU outshot UIS 17-13 for the match including 11-4 in the first half. Marquess had five shots including two on goal. Markus Sundin made four saves in net for the Panthers.