UNI soccer hosts UIC in rematch of 2022 MVC Tournament quarterfinal

UNI soccer (7-1-1) vs. UIC (2-4-2)

3 p.m. CT | Sept. 21, 2023
Cedar Falls, Iowa | UNI Soccer Field
ESPN+

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- After suffering its first setback of the 2023 campaign, UNI soccer looks to bounce back with a pair of Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) home matches. A matchup with the UIC Flames on Thursday at 3 p.m. kicks off the Panthers' homestand in a highly-anticipated rematch of the 2022 MVC Tournament quarterfinal, which UNI won in penalty kicks.

Prior to the Flames joining the MVC ahead of the 2022 season, UIC and UNI had never met on the pitch. Last season's matchups didn't disappoint, though. Caitlin Richards made eight saves as the Panthers and Flames played to a scoreless draw on Oct. 13, 2022 at Flames Field in the first-ever meeting between the programs. The two sides then met two-and-a-half weeks later in the quarterfinal round of the 2022 MVC Tournament, where the Panthers were the visitors for the first home postseason match in UIC women's soccer history.

Led by 10 saves from Richards, UIC and UNI played to a 1-1 draw in regulation. Allison Groothuis put the Panthers ahead in the 61st minute on a header from a corner kick served in by Ashley Harrington. The Flames found an equalizer in the 84th minute and the match went to extra time. After two scoreless overtime periods the match went to a penalty kick shootout, which UNI won 4-2 after UIC missed two penalty kicks.

Thursday will bring the highly-contested series to UNI Soccer Field for the first time. UNI will look to secure another positive result against the Flames after dropping its MVC opener on the road on Sunday against Drake. The Panthers fell behind in the fifth minute after a long throw-in from Drake's Zoey Mahoney found the back of the net after a deflection from Richards. The Panthers generated multiple scoring opportunities throughout the remainder of the opening frame but trailed 1-0 entering halftime.

Drake doubled its lead in the 58th minute, but Macy Smith pulled a goal back with her team-high sixth goal of the season in the 66th minute. On a Drake goal kick, Smith applied instant pressure after Drake goalkeeper Addie 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.

UNI ultimately fell 2-1 to the Bulldogs, but Smith's goal placed her in elite company both nationally and in UNI soccer history. Her six goals are the most of any MVC player and ranks No. 38 nationally, and she moved into a tie for fifth place on UNI soccer's single-season scoring list. Smith is one goal away from matching Emily McCart (2002) and Shanon Dechant (2003) for fourth place. Smith also leads the MVC in total points with 12.

The loss snapped UNI's eight-match unbeaten streak that spanned the duration of non-conference play. The streak was the longest to start a season in program history as the Panthers finished non-conference play unbeaten for the first time in program history. UNI officially recorded the second-longest unbeaten streak in program history, falling one match behind the 2022 squad's nine-match unbeaten streak. Sunday's loss marked the first regular season loss for the Panthers since Sept. 25, 2022.

UNI remains in the midst of a historic offensive season and will look to continue its hot start in its MVC home opener. The Panthers have recorded 69 points through nine matches, the third-highest point total in a single season in program history. The Panthers' 26 goals are the fourth-most in a single season and the team is eight goals away from matching the 2017 squad's program-record 34 goals. Additionally, UNI's 17 assists are the fourth-highest total for a single season in program history.

UIC enters Thursday's contest with a 2-4-2 record but won its MVC opener 1-0 at Southern Illinois on Sunday. The Flames played with ten players for more than half the match after goalkeeper Sara Sanabria received a red card in the 43rd minute. Despite being down a player, the Flames' lone goal of the match came in the 66th minute with a goal from Makenna Maloy. UIC stifled Southern Illinois' attack even while being down a player, limiting the Salukis to seven shots and no shots on goal in the 1-0 victory.

After finishing third in the MVC standings in 2022, the Flames were picked third in the 2023 MVC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Sophia Jamie, who has two assists so far this season, was named to the Preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference First Team alongside Yulexi Diaz.

Maloy is UIC's top offensive playmaker so far this season with two goals and three assists. She is tied for the conference lead in assists with multiple players, including UNI's Olivia Knoepfle. Bella Baker also has two goals for the Flames. UIC has both scored and allowed eight goals through eight matches, so another tight affair between the two squads could be on the cards on Thursday.

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