UNI soccer drops MVC opener in hard-fought 2-1 loss at Drake

Sunday, September 17

Des Moines, Iowa

1 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

7-1-1, 0-1-0

Drake

5-2-2, 1-0-0

UNI

Drake

UNI soccer drops MVC opener in hard-fought 2-1 loss at Drake

9/17/2023 4:16:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score FINAL RESULTS

Macy Smith scores sixth goal as Panthers’ eight-match unbeaten streak is snapped

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- UNI soccer's eight-match unbeaten streak came to an end on Sunday afternoon as the Panthers fell 2-1 against the Drake Bulldogs at Drake Stadium. The Panthers faced a two-goal deficit in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) opener for both squads before Macy Smith pulled a goal back in the 66th minute. UNI pushed for an equalizer but could not complete the comeback as the Bulldogs emerged victorious.

Despite having their unbeaten streak snapped, Smith joined elite company in Panther soccer history with her sixth goal of the 2023 campaign. She is tied for fifth on UNI soccer's single-season scoring list and joins teammate Lauren Heinsch, among others, who scored six goals in the 2021 season.

"Credit to Drake today, they were the aggressor and we just couldn't find a rhythm to the game," said head coach Bruce Erickson. "Macy got us one back but we just weren't quite good enough on the day."

After UNI threatened with an early scoring opportunity, the Bulldogs took the lead in the fifth minute. Drake's Zoey Mahoney opened the scoring from a throw-in, as her heave from the left touchline found the back of the net after a deflection from Panther goalkeeper Caitlin Richards. About 10 minutes later, Richards made a key one-on-one save on Drake's Angela Gutierrez to keep the match at 1-0.

The Panthers began to grow into the match shortly after Drake opened the scoring, forcing key saves from Bulldog goalkeeper Addie Ford towards the end of the first half. In the 39th minute, Morgan Barnette hustled down the left side of Drake's defense and fired a dangerous low cross through the penalty area. Ford couldn't corral the ball and it was loose in the penalty area, but a Bulldog defender cleared the ball before a Panther could steer it home.

After Smith fired a shot high minutes later, Ford made another key save in the 42nd minute. Following a nice passing sequence, Sydney Burskey ripped a shot from the top of the 18-yard box that was destined for the top corner. However, Ford lept to snatch the effort and came down with the ball to keep the Panthers scoreless. Drake held its 1-0 advantage into the locker room.

Richards made a big save early in the second half to deny a shot from Layla Kelbel from inside the penalty area, but Drake eventually doubled its lead in the 58th minute. Gutierrez lofted a cross into UNI's 18-yard box that evaded a Panther defender and fell to Emma Nagel, who touched the ball forward and slotted it past Richards.

Facing a two-goal deficit, the Panthers made attacking substitutions in an attempt to make a comeback. UNI's pressure paid off in the 66th minute following an incredible effort from Smith, who generated a goal from seemingly nothing to cut Drake's lead in half. On a Drake goal kick, Smith applied instant pressure after Ford played the ball short inside the Bulldogs' own penalty area. As a Bulldog defender tried to play the ball back to Ford, Smith intercepted the slow-moving pass and tapped the ball into an open net for the goal.

The Panthers continued to push for an equalizer and had a bevy of set piece opportunities down the stretch, but couldn't capitalize as Drake held on for the 2-1 victory. The loss snapped UNI's eight-match unbeaten streak and marked the team's first regular season loss since Sept. 25, 2022 against Missouri State.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

With 10 regular season games remaining, Smith has an opportunity to climb UNI's single-season scoring leaderboard. She is now one goal shy of matching Shanon Dechant (2003) and Emily McCart (2002) for fourth place.
Smith's goal marked the 26th of the 2023 season for the Panthers. That marks the fourth-most goals the Panthers have scored in a single season, and the 2023 squad is one goal away from matching the 2017 squad's goal total of 27.
Both the Panthers and Bulldogs recorded seven shots on goal in Sunday's contest.
Smith's 12 total points are a team high.
Sunday's contest snapped a four-match point streak for Maddie Eastus, who had recorded a point in four consecutive matches entering Sunday's MVC opener. It was tied for the longest streak in program history, matching Chelsie Hochstedler (9/21-9/28/08), Brynell Yount (8/20-9/1/17) and Sarah Brandt (8/20-9/1/17)

UP NEXT

UNI returns home for two MVC matches next week. First, the Panthers host UIC on Thursday at 3 p.m. On Sunday, UNI hosts Southern Illinois at 12 p.m. in the program's KICK MITO game. Both the UIC and Southern Illinois matches will be streamed on ESPN+.