Panthers net three in second half against Racers to secure MVC Tournament berth

Thursday, October 24

Cedar Falls, Iowa

3 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

9-5-3, 4-3-2

Murray State

5-8-4, 1-5-3

Murray St.

UNI

Photo by: Eli Hull

Panthers net three in second half against Racers to secure MVC Tournament berth

10/24/2024 7:23:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score FINAL RESULTS Photo Gallery

UNI scores three times in the second half in the final home game of the season. Panthers close out regular season on Sunday at Illinois State.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The UNI soccer team netted three goals in the final eight minutes of play on Thursday afternoon as the Panthers roared back to defeat the Murray State Racers by a 3-1 score in Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) play and the final regular season home contest of the year.

With the victory, the Panthers secured a spot in the 2024 MVC Tournament field with one match remaining in the regular season. UNI's final seeding, as well as its opponent and location will be determined following its regular season finale over the weekend.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After a scoreless first half that saw the Panthers put pressure on Murray State goalkeeper Griselda Revolorio with eight shot attempts, Thursday's match entered a 40-minute delay due to lightning. Out of the break, Mary Hardy gave the Racers an early lead in the 73rd minute on a cross pass from outside the box for a 1-0 advantage. Nine minutes later, Sophia Balistreri drew contact on a shot attempt to force Northern Iowa's first penalty kick attempt of the season, which Lauren Heinsch easily netted to tie the match at 1-1 in the 82nd minute.

Building on that momentum,Denise Camarena assisted Ella Anliker, who scored her second goal of the season and her career, putting the Panthers ahead midway through the 85th minute. Maddie Eastus added on in the final minute of action with another Panther goal for the 3-1 victory.

The Panthers outshot the Racers 16-11 and 7-6 in shots on goal with Heinsch leading UNI with four attempts, with Eastus and Olivia Knoepfle taking three shot attempts. In goal, Caitlin Richards notched five saves.

"Proud of the way our team hung in there today," said UNI head coach Bruce Erickson following the win. "Murray State is a very good team and they gave us a great game. The delay took away from the game as it took us a bit to find our rhythm again and then concede a goal. Loved our fight to find the goal and the continuing to find the winner!"

ADDITIONAL NOTES

UNI improves to 2-1-0 all-time against Murray State with Thursday's win.
Northern Iowa secured its fifth consecutive MVC Tournament berth with its victory over the Racers. The Panthers have qualified for the MVC Tournament in seven out of eight seasons under head coach Bruce Erickson.
The Panther offense improved to 36 total goals on the season. UNI's two highest scoring seasons in team history have come in the last two years (45 goals in 2023).
Lauren Heinsch extended her own school record with her 28th career goal with her penalty kick goal, and eighth score of the season, tied for the third-most goals in a single-season in team history.
Heinsch's penalty kick goal was the third of her career, second-most in UNI history.
Ella Anliker's go-ahead goal was her first collegiate game winning score.
Maddie Eastus notched her sixth goal of the season and 12th of her career in Thursday's victory.
UNI goalkeeper Caitlin Richards has recorded at least one save in each of her previous 18 appearances, a streak dating back to last season. Richards is also 117 minutes of match time away from breaking UNI's all-time record for career minutes in goal (6,4030), held by the program's first-ever goalkeeper Anne Marie Witko (2000-03).

UP NEXT
The Panthers return to action on Sunday, Oct. 27 as they take on Illinois State in their final match of the regular season. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT at the Adelaide Street Stadium in Normal with live coverage available on ESPN+.

UNI women's soccer action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Panther Soccer), X (@UNI_Soccer) and on Instagram (@unipanthersoccer). The full 2024 schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com