University of Northern Iowa
Indiana State
Panther Season Ends in Shootout
10/28/2012 1:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
WATERLOO, Iowa - The University of Northern Iowa women's soccer team was eliminated from the Missouri Valley Conference tournament by the Indiana State Sycamores in a shootout, 4-3. UNI and Indiana State played scoreless soccer for 110 minutes before the decisive shootout occurred.
UNI started the shootout when senior Kiki McClellan's shot was saved by Indiana State's Erin Mitchell. The Sycamores capitalized immediately as Elle Steele beat UNI junior goalkeeper Erin Zaideman for the score. Freshman Sarah McHugh followed McClellan in the shootout and again, Mitchell pushed the UNI shot away. Indiana State then took complete control as Natalie Vaught scored on her penalty kick, giving ISU a 2-0 lead with just three kicks left.
UNI broke through on their third attempt when sophomore Caitlyn Fuller beat Erin Mitchell for the score, bringing the Panthers within one. Indiana State then sent Marisa Windisch up to give the Sycamores the almost insurmountable advantage. Windisch hit her shot off of the crossbar, giving the Panthers another opportunity.
Sophomore Charlotte Jones stepped up and nailed her free kick, knotting the score at two apiece. Shelby Troyer came through for the Sycamores on their next attempt, putting them on top, 3-2, with just one kicker left per side. UNI senior Ashley Capone sent her shot into the back of the net, tying the score again at three. Kourtney Vassar then sealed the victory for the Sycamores as she put her shot in the right side of the net.
UNI was led offensively by senior Melissa Hagan who fired six shots with one on goal. Junior Claire Clark added three shots with one on goal and senior Ashley Capone tallied two shots with one on goal. Charlotte Jones and Caitlyn Fuller each chipped in with two shots apiece while Kiki McClellan, and freshmen Katie Witt and Maddie Welch each tallied a shot in the match.
Junior goalkeeper Erin Zaideman posted seven saves through 110 minutes of scoreless soccer, posting her sixth shutout of the season.
UNI (8-9-2, 3-2-1 MVC) was outshot in the match, 20-18, including a mark of 7-3 in shots on goal. The Sycamores also tallied 12 corner kicks to UNI's six. With the draw and win in the shootout the No. 5 seed Indiana State Sycamores advance to play the No. 1 seeded Evansville Purple Aces.
