UNI soccer stifles Belmont in 1-0 victory

Sunday, October 8

Nashville, Tenn.

2 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

11-2-1, 4-2-0

Belmont

2-7-6, 1-2-4

UNI

Belmont

UNI soccer vs. Indiana State | Oct. 1, 2023

UNI soccer stifles Belmont in 1-0 victory

10/8/2023 5:13:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score FINAL RESULTS

Olivia Knoepfle scores game-winning goal as Panthers record 11th win of 2023 season

NASHVILLE, Tennessee --- UNI soccer got back in the win column on Sunday afternoon, riding a stout defensive performance to a 1-0 victory over the Belmont Bruins. The Panthers christened their first-ever visit to E.S. Rose Park with an early goal from Olivia Knoepfle in the tenth minute that held for the duration of the contest. Sunday's victory marked UNI's first road win in Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) play.

"Really grinded out the win today," said head coach Bruce Erickson. "Fair play to a tough Belmont squad. Proud of our fight and willingness to empty the tank to win. Outstanding performances from everyone, specifically our game changers off the bench."

The Panthers struck quickly against the Bruins, opening the scoring in the tenth minute following a brilliant passing sequence. Maddie Eastus started the move with a pass to Lauren Heinsch on the right wing. Heinsch then cut inside and sliced a pass through Belmont's defense that met Knoepfle in stride for a breakaway opportunity. Knoepfle slotted the ball past Bruin goalkeeper Sarah Doyle to put the Panthers on the board.

Knoepfle's goal marked her sixth of the season, which is tied for a team high, as well as her 17th point of the 2023 season. Additionally, the goal moved the 2023 Panthers into a tie with the 2017 team for the most goals in a single season in Panther soccer history.

After opening the scoring, though, the Bruins grew into the match and created several scoring opportunities as the opening frame progressed. Avery Nowak and Maci Pekmezian just missed the net on dangerous scoring chances from inside the Panthers' 18-yard box in consecutive minutes. The Bruins had a 5-1 advantage in total shots halfway through the first half, but Belmont was unable to capitalize on those chances.

UNI nearly doubled its advantage at the end of the first half, as a long-range shot from Jaylie Hicklin slammed the crossbar with less than a minute to go in the opening frame, but the match entered halftime with the Panthers leading 1-0.

The second half played to a quintessential stalemate. In a cagey second stanza, neither team was able to generate much offensively. The first and only shot of the second half did not come until the 86th minute, an effort from Nowak from a difficult angle that missed the net.

Even as the Bruins subbed on a bevy of attackers late in the match in an attempt to grab a late equalizer, UNI's defense held strong and did not let Belmont conjure up any chances to score. The Panthers' 1-0 victory vaulted them back up to second place in a crowded MVC table, and UNI currently sits one point behind first-place Drake.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Caitlin Richards recorded her 17th career shutout in UNI's victory over the Bruins. She is one shutout away from tying former UNI goalkeeper and current Panther soccer assistant coach Jami Reichenberger's (2017-18) program record of 18 career shutouts.
Sunday's victory also marked the eighth shutout of the 2023 season for the Panthers, which is the second-most shutouts a UNI soccer team has recorded in a single season. The 2017 squad recorded 11 shutouts, the most in a single season in Panther soccer history.
UNI recorded its 11th win of the season on Sunday, which is the second-highest win total for a single season in UNI soccer history. The Panthers are three wins away from matching the 2017 squad's program record of 14 wins.
Knoepfle, who entered play on Sunday with the most total points in the MVC, moved into a tie with Chelsie Hochstedler (2008) for the fourth-most total points in a single season in Panther soccer history. Brynell Yount (2017) holds the program record with 24 points.
With six goals, Knoepfle also moved into a tie with Macy Smith for the team scoring lead.
Heinsch recorded her 13th point of the season with her game-winning assist, which moved her into a tie with Shanon Dechant (2004) for ninth place on UNI soccer's single-season points leaderboard. It also marked her 41st career point, which is the fourth-highest career total in Panther soccer history, as well as her 19th match with a point.
The 2023 Panthers recorded their 92nd point of the season on Sunday, as the team remains in second place for most points in a single season in UNI soccer history. The team is five points away from matching the 2017 squad's program record of 97 points.
Additionally, UNI recorded its 34th goal of the season on Sunday. The Panthers are now one goal away from setting a program record for the most goals in a single season in Panther soccer history.
The team's 24 assists are also the second-highest for a single season in program history, as UNI sits five assists away from matching the 2017 team's program record of 29.

UP NEXT

The Panthers return to UNI Soccer Field on Thursday for a home match against the Evansville Purple Aces. Thursday's afternoon tilt kicks off at 3 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.