University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Omaha
MVC-leading Panther soccer readies for non-conference test against Omaha
9/1/2023 1:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
UNI soccer (4-0-1) vs. Omaha (2-1-2)
- 11 a.m. CT | Sept. 3, 2023
- Cedar Falls, Iowa | UNI Soccer Field
- ESPN+
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- When UNI soccer welcomes the Omaha Mavericks to UNI Soccer Field for an 11 a.m. CT kickoff on Sunday, the Panthers have a chance to make history. UNI's five-match unbeaten streak to start the 2023 campaign is the second-longest streak to start a season in program history, and one more positive result would match the 2017 squad's six-match unbeaten run.Â
It has already been a historic week for the Panthers, who enter Sunday's contest in first place in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) standings. In Tuesday's 3-0 victory over St. Ambrose, UNI set a program-record for most shots in a match (40) and Lauren Heinsch set a program-record for most career shot attempts (158). The Panthers attempted 20 shots in each half against the Fighting Bees, which tied for the second-most shots they have recorded in a half in program history.   Â
Tuesday morning also marked an important milestone for UNI's Macy Smith, who was named the MVC Offensive Player of the Week following her two-goal performance against Southern Utah on Aug. 22. The Panthers have now had a player receive the honor in consecutive seasons after having not won the award since 2018.Â
The Mavericks enter Sunday's contest on the heels of a 1-0 win over UC Santa Barbara on Thursday night at home. Sophia Green scored the contest's lone goal in the 86th minute from the penalty spot after a UCSB defender handled the ball in the penalty area. Green converted the opportunity to give the Mavericks the victory. Omaha was boosted by seven saves from goalkeeper Emma Konsmo, who recorded her third shutout of the season in the win.
Despite finishing the 2022 campaign 5-8-5, the Mavericks' 4-2-3 record in Summit League play earned them the No. 3 seed in the Summit League Tournament. There, Omaha downed North Dakota and upset South Dakota State to advance to the conference championship match. After playing Oral Roberts to a scoreless stalemate through 120 minutes, the Mavericks won the penalty shootout to claim the Summit League Championship. Omaha drew No. 1 Notre Dame in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, where it fell 5-0 to the Fighting Irish.
Omaha returns nearly every key contributor from last season's squad, including joint leading scorers Emilie Erland and Marissa Gohr who each scored three goals in 2022. Their mark from a season ago has already been bested in 2023 as Green, another returner, scored her fourth goal of the season in Omaha's 1-0 win on Thursday night.
The Mavericks also return their top two goalkeepers from last season in Konsmo and Mia Reedtz. Konsmo, who made the Summit League All-Newcomer Team in 2022, has 27 saves through five matches which includes an 11-save performance in Omaha's 2-2 draw with Missouri on Aug. 24. Konsmo has played every minute in goal for the Mavericks thus far.Â
Additionally, Omaha's three all-Summit League selections in 2022 return. Regan Zimmers, a First Team All-Summit League selection in 2022, anchors the Maverick defense and was named a Defender to Watch by the Division I All-American Committee. Zimmers was also named to the 2022 United Soccer Coaches All-West Region Second Team.
Midfielder Grace Ostergaard returns after being named Second Team All-Summit League in 2022, as does defender Jordyn West, who was an Honorable Mention All-Summit League selection last season.
Sunday marks the ninth all-time meeting between the Panthers and Mavericks. Omaha leads the all-time series 3-2-2 and are 2-0-1 against UNI in their last three meetings. Coincidentally, the Panthers' last win over the Mavericks came in 2017.
To match the 2017 team's six-match unbeaten streak, UNI will need to continue its sound run of form defensively. The Panthers have recorded four shutouts in their opening five matches, two of which have been earned by UNI goalkeeper Caitlin Richards. With 13 career shutouts, Richards can tie Anne Marie Witko (2000-03) for second most in program history with her next clean sheet.Â
Head coach Bruce Erickson is also closing in on program history. Tuesday's win over St. Ambrose marked Erickson's 47th win at the helm at UNI. Erickson is already the winningest coach in program history and could become the first Panther soccer head coach to reach 50 wins this season.Â
UNI captain Ashley Harrington sits just one assist away from tying the Panther program record for career assists. Hannah McDevitt (2015-18) recorded 12 assists during her career to Harrington's 11. Harrington is also tied for eighth in total points (27) and matches with a point recorded (15), and eighth in shots on goal (49).
