UNI soccer ends season in 2-1 semifinal loss to Missouri State

Thursday, November 3

Valparaiso, Ind.

University of Northern Iowa

6-6-8, 2-2-6

Missouri State University

11-6-2, 7-2-1

UNI

Missouri St.

UNI soccer ends season in 2-1 semifinal loss to Missouri State

11/3/2022 5:01:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

VALPARAISO, Ind. -- The Panthers' postseason run came to an end Thursday afternoon in the semifinals against the Missouri State Bears.

A slow start kept UNI soccer from the final round of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Tournament as they outshot the Bears with fewer fouls through 90 minutes. Two first-half goals from Missouri State would keep the Panthers from the win column, even with a goal early in the second half.

UNI struggled to get the offense going in the first half, not getting their first shot until the third minute. The Panthers found themselves down early as the first goal came in the sixth minute for the Bears. Missouri State would score another goal against UNI in the 36th minute, putting the Panthers in a 2-0 hole going into the second half.

Despite their struggles in the first half, UNI picked up the pace in the final 45 minutes. The Panthers got a shot only 11 seconds into the first half from midfielder Olivia Knoepfle that went wide. UNI would continue to attack the net with six shots from three different players over the next 15 minutes.

The heavy offense would pay off for the Panthers in the 62nd minute as midfielder Lizzie Mewes scored UNI's lone goal off a bobbled ball by Bears goalkeeper Camille Day. Midfielder JaylieHicklin had her first point of the season with the assist on Mewes goal having taken the initial shot.

The Panthers kept the offense hot in the second, putting seven shots on goal and taking 14 shots overall in the second half. UNI had three close chances in the final 22 minutes of the game from forwards Lauren Heinsch, Kennedy Rieken, and midfielder Caroline Hazen. But both three shots were saved by Missouri State, keeping the Panthers one goal short of sending the game into overtime.

Heinsch continued her team-leading offensive season with eight shots and three on goal through 82 minutes on Thursday afternoon. Five other UNI players had multiple shots during the game as Rieken and Hicklin had two shots on goal as well. Goalkeeper Caitlin Richards played all 90 minutes for the Panthers, making five saves with a .714 save percentage.

UNI ends its season with a 6-6-8 record, 23 goals, and 16 assists. This is the first full season since 2018 that the Panthers have finished the year at .500 or better, excluding the COVID-19-shortened season in 2021.