The University of Illinois Springfield men’s soccer team has the most wins in school history since moving up to the NCAA Division-II level in 2009.
They now have a bigger goal in mind — reach the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history.
The Prairie Stars (11-4-1) can clinch that automatic bid by winning the upcoming Great Lakes Valley Conference tournament. UIS, the No. 2 seed, opens the first round by hosting No. 7 Missouri St. Louis (8-7-1) at noon on Sunday.
The Stars have particularly rallied around Mario Gonzalez. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in July and said earlier this week he was about to undertake his seventh round of chemotherapy.
Gonzalez said his prognosis has improved since undergoing treatment.
“I’d say it’s been a year full of challenges,” Gonzalez said. “Of course I would love to be out here practicing and playing, but I’m really proud of the team where they’re at right now getting ready for the quarterfinals. Even though it’s been a hard year for me, I’m really happy where I’m at right now and I’m grateful for that as well.”
This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on Nov. 6, 2021.