UNI soccer begins MVC road trip against Murray State

UNI soccer (10-1-1) at Murray State (2-7-4)

3 p.m. CT | Oct. 5, 2023
Murray, Ky. | Cutchin Field
ESPN+

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- After wrapping up a three-match Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) homestand over the weekend, UNI soccer hits the road this week for a pair of conference matches. The Panthers first visit Murray State on Thursday in a match that kicks off at 3 p.m. CT from Cutchin Field in Murray, Ky.

Thursday's match will be a historic meeting between the new conference foes. It marks the second all-time meeting between the Panthers and Racers, with the first coming in 2022 at UNI Soccer Field. The Panthers won that match 3-0. Thursday will mark UNI's first-ever visit to Murray State.

UNI enters Thursday's match riding a pair of three-match streaks. Not only have the Panthers won three contests in a row, they have also shut out their last three opponents. The most recent triumph came last Sunday as UNI downed Indiana State 2-0 behind goals from Lauren Heinsch and Allison Groothuis. The Panthers' defense was dominant again, limiting Indiana State to four total shots and did not allow a single shot in the second half. UNI has allowed nine total shots over its last five halves of play ahead of Thursday's contest.

Sunday's victory marked an important milestone in the coaching career of head coach Bruce Erickson, who earned his 300th career coaching victory on Sunday. The Panthers' seventh-year head coach won his 50th game at UNI earlier this season and is the winningest coach in program history.

After scoring her first goal of the 2023 campaign and anchoring yet another shutout for the Panthers, Groothuis earned MVC Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday morning. Groothuis has played the full 90 minutes in the Panthers' last three shutout victories, including Sunday's win, and punctuated UNI's two-goal victory over the Sycamores with her aforementioned goal in the 70th minute. The honor marked the second weekly MVC award in Groothuis' career as well as the second consecutive week a UNI soccer player has received a weekly conference award.

Through 12 matches, it has been a stellar year for the Panthers both individually and as a team. UNI has 86 total points through 12 games and are just 12 points away from earning the most points in a season in program history. With 32 goals scored following Sunday's contest, the Panthers are three goals away from setting a program record for most goals in a season. Additionally, the team's +24 goal differential ranks 11th nationally and first in the MVC, and the Panthers rank No. 17 nationally in goals scored.

Olivia Knoepfle, who picked up MVC Offensive Player of the Week last week, recorded her fifth assist of the 2023 season against the Sycamores and is three assists away from tying Charlotte Jones (2014) for the most assists in a single season in Panther soccer history. She has also recorded a point in three consecutive matches and, with a point against Murray State, she could match the longest consecutive games with a point streak in program history. Knoepfle's 15 total points lead the MVC entering action on Thursday and is the sixth highest single-season point total in Panther soccer history.

Additionally, Caitlin Richards earned her 16th career shutout against the Sycamores. She sits just two shutouts away from matching former Panther soccer goalkeeper and current Panther soccer assistant coach Jami Reichenberger's (2017-18) program record of 18 shutouts. UNI's seven shutouts so far this season are tied for the second-most in program history.

The Panthers will look to continue their impressive season against the Racers, who have a 2-7-4 overall record but have been extremely formidable in conference play. Murray State has an 0-1-4 record against MVC foes, a record that includes three scoreless draws. The Racers opened conference play by holding Missouri State to a scoreless draw at Cutchin Field and Murray State out-shot the Bears 14-12 in the match. Murray State also picked up a draw against Belmont, Evansville and in its most recent match, a 1-1 tie against Valparaiso on Oct. 1. Murray State's lone loss of conference play came in a 1-0 decision against UIC on Sept. 28.

Mary Hardy, who leads Murray State in goals (3), assists (2), points (8) and total shots (31) scored the lone goal in the Racers' draw against the Beacons. Hardy was also the Racers' top scorer in 2022. Saraya Young, who was named to the 2022 All-MVC First Team, is another playmaker to watch for the Racers. She has just one assist so far this season, but led the MVC in assists and points per game during the 2022 regular season.

The Panthers will look to extend their ongoing conference winning streak to four matches on Thursday. UNI will hope to build upon its regional ranking, too, as the Panthers moved up two places to No. 7 in the United Soccer Coaches Midwest Poll. The Panthers are ranked ahead of Missouri State as well as two Big 12 schools in Oklahoma and Baylor. UNI sits in second place in the MVC entering Thursday's match, two points behind Missouri State.

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