UNI soccer visits Drake in Missouri Valley Conference opener

UNI soccer (7-0-1) at Drake (4-2-2)

1 p.m. CT | Sept. 17, 2023
Des Moines, Iowa | Drake Stadium
ESPN+

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- After a historic non-conference slate that saw UNI soccer set a variety of program and individual records, the Panthers now turn their attention to Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) action. UNI visits the Drake Bulldogs on Sunday in the MVC opener for both squads, and the match kicks off at 1 p.m. from Drake Stadium.

UNI enters Sunday's contest unbeaten, riding the best eight-match stretch in program history into conference play. Non-conference play was extremely kind to the Panthers, who sit atop the MVC standings entering their matchup with the Bulldogs. UNI is 7-0-1, its ongoing eight-match unbeaten streak is the longest unbeaten streak in program history and the Panthers enter MVC play unbeaten for the first time in program history. Additionally, Ashley Harrington set a program record for career assists and career games with an assist, head coach Bruce Erickson recorded his 50th win at UNI and Lauren Heinsch set a program record for career shot attempts and career shots on goal during non-conference action.

Through non-conference action, the Panthers have recorded 67 total points, 25 goals and 17 assists. Those figures have already placed the team in elite company as it pertains to single season records for UNI soccer. 67 points is tied for the third-highest point total in a single season in Panther soccer history, while 25 goals is the fourth-highest goal total in a single season. UNI's 17 assists is the fourth-best assist total for a single season. With 10 MVC games ahead, the 2023 Panther squad has a chance to further cement themselves in program history.

Thanks to UNI's hot start, the team is starting to garner some national recognition. The Panthers were ranked No. 10 in the United Soccer Coaches Midwest Poll this week. Fellow MVC foe Missouri State is ranked No. 8 in the region. UNI did not receive any votes for the national top 25 but are looking to secure the program's first national ranking since 2017 with a strong showing in conference play.

The Panthers should be well rested ahead of Sunday's in-state battle having not played since last Saturday against UT Martin. UNI bested the Skyhawks 3-1 on Senior Day. which also marked Erickson's aforementioned 50th win at UNI, behind goals from Olivia Knoepfle, Lauren Heinsch and Maddie Eastus. The Panthers took a 2-0 lead into halftime then, after UT Martin cut UNI's lead in half in the 55th minute, Eastus sealed the victory with a goal in the 57th minute.

Eastus' 57th minute goal extended a streak that's one to monitor against Drake on Sunday. Her goal against UT Martin marked her fourth consecutive match with a point, tying her with Chelsie Hochstedler (9/21-9/28/2008), Brynell Yount (8/20-9/1/17) and Sarah Brandt (8/20-9/1/17) for the longest streak in program history. Eastus' streak started with a goal against St. Ambrose on Aug. 29.

Drake wrapped up non-conference play with a 4-2-2 record and most recently lost to South Dakota on Wednesday afternoon at Drake Stadium. Emma Nagel, Drake's leading scorer in 2023 with four goals and a 2022 First Team All-MVC selection, opened the scoring with a penalty kick in the ninth minute. Drake took a 1-0 lead into halftime, but South Dakota scored in the 58th and 86th minute to secure the win.

The Coyotes are one of three common opponents that UNI and Drake share. The Panthers bested South Dakota 3-1 on Sept. 7. Drake closed its non-conference schedule with two more common opponents with UNI, facing Omaha on Sept. 10 and St. Thomas on Sept. 7. Drake tied the Tommies 1-1 and beat Omaha 1-0, with both matches occurring at Drake Stadium. UNI beat St. Thomas 1-0 and beat Omaha 3-2.

The Bulldogs lead the all-time series 12-4-6 entering Sunday's conference opener. In 2022, the sides played to a 1-1 draw at UNI Soccer Field in a match that featured 30 combined fouls. Another physical affair could be in order on Sunday as the Bulldogs average 11.88 fouls per game and have 13 total yellow cards.

Behind Nagel, Angela Gutierrez, Layla Kelbel and Maddie Rosenblum each have two goals for the Bulldogs. Three of Nagel's four goals have come via penalty kicks. Nagel was one of four Bulldogs to earn MVC preseason honors, as she was named to the MVC Preseason First Team ahead of the 2023 season. Gutierrez, a freshman, and fifth-year transfer defender Lauren Reisenbeck were MVC Preseason Honorable Mention selections, as was Madelyn Smith. Zoey Mahoney leads both Drake and the MVC with three assists.

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