UNI soccer snaps tie streak with win against Murray State

Thursday, October 20

Cedar Falls, Iowa

3 PM

University of Northern Iowa

5-5-6, 2-2-5

Murray State

4-10-3, 3-4-2

Murray St.

UNI

Photo by: © KehlexisLLC

UNI soccer snaps tie streak with win against Murray State

10/20/2022 5:33:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The Panthers' offensive firepower shined in a 3-0 shutout of the Murray Racers on Thursday afternoon.

Three different UNI players scored in an all-around offensive game for the Panthers in their return to UNI Soccer Field. UNI's three starting forwards, Lauren Heinsch, Sophia Meier, and Sydney Burskey all scored in Thursday's 3-0 win over the Racers. Two other Panthers picked up assists in the win while nine players registered a shot through 90 minutes of action.

UNI was on top early in the game as Heinsch found the upper corner of the net in the 18th minute. On the run from one side of the box to the other, Heinsch took a long chance outside, using enough leg power to get the ball past Racers goalkeeper Jenna Villacres. The Panthers would get three more shots off in the first half but didn't find the goal again until the final 45 minutes.

It wouldn't take UNI long to be back in scoring position. In the 52nd minute, Meier brought the ball past Villacres on the left side of the box. Meier took a tough shot off to the left side of the net that had just enough of an angle to score in the bottom right corner behind the post.

Only 28 seconds later, Burskey made her way to the net for the Panthers' third and final goal of the match. A long pass from forward Ashley Harrington set up Burskey for a chance on the left side of the penalty arc. Burskey quickly fired off a right-footed shot that made it in on the bottom left corner of the net.

UNI continued to attack the net with four more shots over the next 37 minutes. While nothing else went in for the Panthers, starting goalkeeper Caitlin Richards made seven saves to record her second shutout in as many games. The game was also Richards' fourth shutout of the season.

Five UNI players had a shot on goal during the game, the three goal scorers, midfielder Caroline Hazen, and forward Kennedy Rieken. A total of nine Panthers had at least one shot with the team putting up 12 shots as a whole through 90 minutes.

UP NEXT:
UNI closes out the regular season at home with a noon matchup on Sunday. The Panthers welcome Belmont to Cedar Falls for the first time in over 20 years for the final game of the year.