Panthers Fall to Missouri State in MVC Opener 2-1

Saturday, September 26

Springfield, Mo.

5:00 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

4-5-3, 0-1-0

Missouri State

7-3-1, 1-0-0

UNI

Missouri State

Panthers Fall to Missouri State in MVC Opener 2-1

9/26/2015 6:53:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Riley Ubben

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The University of Northern Iowa women's soccer team fell in their Missouri Valley Conference opener 2-1 on Saturday evening. The Panthers (4-5-3, 0-1 MVC) were outshot 13-4 during the contest as UNI goalkeeper Whitney Blunt finished with six saves.

Blunt had two of her saves in the first half, helping keep the Bears off the scoreboard for the first 45 minutes.

MSU struck early in the second half as Alix Opfer scored just over a minute into the half. The Bears would get their second goal 20 minutes later to take a 2-0 lead.

"We didn't compete as hard as we needed to for the first 60 minutes," said UNI Head Coach James Price. "Once we went down 2-0 started to really fight and scored a nice goal and built up some momentum."

Marianne Gagne scored her first goal of the season on the Panthers' first and only shot on goal at the 68:45 mark to cut down the Bears' lead to one. Sarah Brandt was credited with the assist as her and Gagne controlled the ball up the right side of the field before Gagne fired it past the MSU keeper from 15 yards out.

"We have to find a way to play like we did in the last 30 minutes at all times otherwise we will come up empty handed in most games," said Price.

The Panthers will play their MVC home opener on Saturday, October 3 when they take on Evansville in the annual Kick Cancer Pink Game. UNI will wear pink jerseys for the contest and the Beyond Pink Team will speak during halftime.

BOX SCORE