University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
South Dakota
UNI soccer wraps up non-conference slate against South Dakota, UT Martin
9/5/2023 2:57:00 PM | Women's Soccer
UNI soccer (5-0-1) at South Dakota (2-1-3)
- 4 p.m. CT | Sept. 7, 2023
- Vermillion, S.D. | First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex
- Summit League Network
UNI soccer (5-0-1) vs UT Martin (2-3-0)
- 12 p.m. CT | Sept. 9, 2023
- Cedar Falls, Iowa | UNI Soccer Field
- ESPN+
Â
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- UNI soccer is in a position to make history as it wraps up non-conference play with matches on Thursday and Saturday. The Panthers begin a stretch of two matches in less than 48 hours with a road clash against South Dakota at 4 p.m. on Thursday, then return home to face UT Martin at Noon on Saturday. Saturday's match against the Skyhawks also serves as Senior Day for UNI soccer, where the program's six seniors will be honored.
The Panthers enter the final stretch of their non-conference slate riding a six-match unbeaten streak, which was extended following a dramatic 3-2 win over Omaha on Sunday at UNI Soccer Field. UNI raced out to an early lead against the Mavericks, a 2022 NCAA Tournament participant, thanks to first-half goals from Ashley Harrington and Morgan Barnette. However, Omaha quickly erased the Panthers' 2-0 halftime lead and leveled the match in the 71st minute.
UNI responded immediately in search of the match-winning goal, and found it in the 83rd minute with an excellent team goal. Harrington received the ball in space near the right endline and fired a cross towards the back post. The ball evaded Omaha's goalkeeper and a defender before falling perfectly to Maddie Eastus, who steered the ball home to give UNI the lead. Caitlin Richards made a massive diving save in the final seconds to deny a dangerous Omaha scoring opportunity and secure the 3-2 win.Â
Matchups between the Coyotes and Panthers have been historically tight, especially recently. The last three meetings between the sides have been decided by one goal, with the matchup before that ending in a double overtime scoreless draw in 2018. UNI won last season's meeting 2-1 at UNI Soccer Field, and Caroline Hazen and Lauren Heinsch scored for the Panthers in the victory. UNI leads the all-time series 8-5-2 ahead of Thursday's clash.Â
South Dakota enters Thursday's match riding an unbeaten streak of its own. After dropping their season opener 3-1 to Utah Tech, the Coyotes have gone on a five-match unbeaten streak. That streak was extended with a scoreless road draw against Utah State on Sept. 3. South Dakota weathered a relentless Aggie offense in the 0-0 affair, as Utah State outshot South Dakota 26-1. Coyote goalkeeper Caroline Lewis recorded eight saves in the match for her second shutout of the season.
The Coyotes and Panthers also share a common opponent in Southern Utah. South Dakota played a scoreless draw with the Thunderbirds on Aug. 19 in a match that featured 33 combined shots and 15 combined shots on goal. UNI, meanwhile, bested Southern Utah 3-2 on Aug. 22.
South Dakota's squad will look similar to the last time the Panthers and Coyotes met. South Dakota returns eight of 11 starters from its 2022 team that went 4-9-5 overall. The Coyotes went 3-4-2 in Summit League play last season and did not qualify for the Summit League Tournament.
Taylor Ravelo anchors the Coyotes' defense after being a 2022 Honorable Mention All-Summit League selection. Ravelo, a senior defender, started all 18 games for the Coyotes last season and has started all six games in 2023. Ravelo and fellow senior Ashby Johnston were named Summit League Player to Watch ahead of the 2023 season. Johnston and Shaylee Gailus are the Coyotes' leading scorers entering Thursday's contest with three goals each. Lewis, another returner, is off to a hot start in goal. Her 31 saves in 2023 ranks 25th nationally and first in the Summit League.
UNI then returns home to face a first-time opponent on Saturday in the UT Martin Skyhawks. Saturday's contest will wrap up a weekend road trip for the Skyhawks after they face Indiana State on the road on Thursday afternoon. The Skyhawks have a 2-3-0 record ahead of their clash with the Sycamores.
The Skyhawks are led by head coach Mike Varga, who is in his first season at UT Martin after being named the fifth coach in Skyhawk soccer history on June 5. Varga has over 300 career victories at the collegiate level after previous stops at Gardner-Webb University, the University of South Alabama and Lincoln Memorial University. As a result of the midsummer coaching change, Varga's first roster as UT Martin's head coach is a mix of returners and newcomers. The Skyhawks return seven starters from their 2022 squad that finished 4-9-5 and 1-5-2 in Ohio Valley Conference play, but also have 17 newcomers.Â
Thus far, UT Martin's returners have been its key contributors. Forward Makayla Robinson, a 2021 All-OVC Second Team selection, has already matched a career high with three goals through five matches in 2023. Robinson enters Thursday's contest against Indiana State as the team's leading scorer. Izzy Patterson is a notable playmaker in UT Martin's midfield, following up a 2022 campaign in which she was a First Team All-OVC honoree with a goal in the Skyhawks' 2-1 win over Western Carolina on Aug. 27. UT Martin is currently on a two-match losing streak, falling 4-0 at Kentucky on Aug. 31 and losing 2-1 to Murray State on Sept. 3.Â
Aside from the longest unbeaten streak in program history, more program history is in sight for Panther soccer. Harrington is just one assist away from breaking the Panther program record for career assists, which would break a record currently shared with Hannah McDevitt (2015-18). She would also set McDevitt's record for most career games with an assist (12) with her next assist.Â
Head coach Bruce Erickson is also closing in on program history. Sunday's win over Omaha marked Erickson's 48th 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
The Panthers enter action Thursday leading the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) overall entering play on Thursday, and top the conference in several statistical categories. UNI has scored the most goals (19) recorded the most points (47) and have the most shots per game (22) in the MVC. The Panthers also have the lowest goals against average (.667) and highest shutout percentage (.667) among MVC squads.
Â
PARKING NOTICE
Due to UNI football's home game against Weber State on Saturday, Sept. 9, parking for UNI's home soccer match against UT Martin will be limited to the grass lot south of the outdoor football practice field and at the intersection of Panther Parkway and 22nd Street will be reserved for soccer parking only. Please see the attached marking map link for a complete map of available parking for the Sept. 9 home soccer match.
