UNI soccer downs Southern Illinois 3-0 in second annual KICK MITO match

Sunday, September 24

Cedar Falls, Iowa

12 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

9-1-1, 2-1-0

Southern Illinois

1-6-3, 0-3-0

Southern Ill.

UNI

Photo by: Joel Wauters

UNI soccer downs Southern Illinois 3-0 in second annual KICK MITO match

9/24/2023 4:19:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score FINAL RESULTS Photo Gallery

Knoepfle’s first collegiate brace, Camarena’s spectacular goal powers Panthers’ second consecutive shutout

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- UNI soccer recorded its second consecutive Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) shutout on Sunday afternoon, downing the Southern Illinois Salukis 3-0 at UNI Soccer Field. The victory punctuated the program's second annual KICK MITO match, where Panther soccer raised awareness about mitochondrial disease. The program also honored UNI swimmer Olivia Chambers, who has overcome multiple mitochondrial gene depletion syndrome and mitochondrial disease while still competing at the collegiate level.

The Panthers wore green socks during Sunday's contest for mitochondrial disease awareness. Olivia Knoepfle scored her first collegiate brace in UNI's three-goal victory, and Denise Camarena added her first collegiate goal.

"I really liked how we came out today at the beginning of both halves," said head coach Bruce Erickson. "We scored all three goals in those timeframes and that set the tone for the game. All crucial goals by Olivia and Denise but standout performance and attitude by all to keep a clean sheet"

UNI got on the board early, as Knoepfle opened the scoring for the Panthers on a breakaway finish in the 10th minute. Olivia Bohl sparked the scoring opportunity with an inch-perfect through ball from near midfield that split multiple Saluki defenders. Knoepfle raced onto the pass inside SIU's 18-yard box and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to give the Panthers a lead it ultimately wouldn't relinquish. The assist marked the second of Bohl's collegiate career.

The first half was largely devoid of scoring chances after Knoepfle's goal, though. The opening frame featured just eight combined shots and Caitlin Richards and SIU goalkeeper Chantelle Symes made one save each as UNI's 1-0 lead held entering halftime.

The Panthers again struck early in the second half, recording their second and third goals of the match inside the opening 15 minutes of the second stanza. In the 53rd minute, a slide tackle from a Saluki defender pushed the ball towards Camarena, who picked up the ball about 30 yards from goal. She took a few touches forward before lacing a shot with her left foot near the top of SIU's 18-yard box. Her strike rocketed into the top left corner of the goal to double the Panthers' advantage.

Symes was unfortunately injured after making a leap for Camarena's shot, so emergency goalkeeper McKensey Bunch entered the match for the Salukis. With Bunch, a forward who hadn't made an appearance at goalkeeper in her collegiate career before Sunday, entering the contest in goal UNI immediately began peppering the SIU net. Caroline Hazen hit the crossbar following a corner kick in the 55th minute, and Bunch made a nice stop to deny Lauren Heinsch less than a minute later. The Panthers recorded 14 total shots in the second half.

In the 59th minute, the Panthers found their third goal of the contest. Allison Groothuis lofted a ball in behind SIU's back line from near midfield and Knoepfle raced in behind the Saluki defense and converted yet another breakaway opportunity to extend UNI's lead to 3-0.

A stout defensive performance ensured that the Panthers' three-goal lead would hold. SIU did not register a shot in the second second half and had just three total shots in the match. That marked the fewest number of shots that the Panthers have allowed in a match this season, besting their defensive effort against Western Illinois on Aug. 24 in which UNI allowed four shots.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Knoepfle has now recorded a point in consecutive matches after providing the game-winning assist to Maddie Eastus' goal on Thursday against UIC. Her two-goal performance was the first brace of her collegiate career and she now has five goals on the season.
Additionally, Knoepfle has a team-high 14 points, which is also the highest point total in the MVC. She is now tied with Heinsch (2021) and Emily McCart (2002) for eighth place on UNI soccer's single-season points leaderboard.
Richards recorded her 15th career shutout in UNI's victory over the Salukis. That moved her past Anne Marie Witko (2000-03) for second place in program history for career shutouts. Former UNI goalkeeper and current Panther soccer assistant coach Jami Reichenberger (2017-18) holds the program record with 18 career shutouts.
Sunday's victory marked the sixth shutout of the 2023 season for the Panthers, which is tied for the third-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 remains undefeated at home this season, recording its seventh win of the 2023 season at UNI Soccer Field on Sunday. The Panthers' nine wins overall are tied for the third-most wins in a single season in Panther soccer history.
Groothuis' assist on Knoepfle's second goal was her first assist of the season and just the second of her UNI career. Prior to Sunday, Groothuis hadn't recorded an assist since the 2021-22 season.
As a team, the Panthers recorded their 19th and 20th assists of the 2023 season, which moved the 2023 squad into second place for most assists in a single season. The 2017 team's 29 assists remain a program record.
UNI was able to showcase its depth against Southern Illinois on Sunday. The Panthers played 21 total players against the Salukis.
Sunday's victory marked head coach Bruce Erickson's 299th career coaching victory. Erickson, the winningest head coach in Panther soccer history, recorded his 50th win at UNI in the Panthers' win over UT Martin on Sept. 9.

UP NEXT

UNI has a week off before playing its third consecutive MVC home match on Oct. 1 against the Indiana State Sycamores. The match kicks off at 12 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.