Richards sets career shutout record as Panthers blank Evansville

Thursday, October 3

Evansville, Ind.

6 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

7-4-1, 2-2-0

Evansville

1-5-4, 0-2-2

UNI

Evansville

UNI soccer vs. Valparaiso | Sept. 29, 2024 (Cedar Falls, Iowa)

Photo by: Eli Hull

Richards sets career shutout record as Panthers blank Evansville

10/3/2024 8:36:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score FINAL RESULTS Photo Gallery

Panthers continue win second record second MVC shutout against the Purple Aces. UNI rounds out road trip on Sunday at Indiana State.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. --- UNI goalkeeper Caitlin Richards made history for the Panther defense on Thursday night with her program record 19th career shutout win as Northern Iowa blanked the Evansville Purple Aces at Arad McCutchan Stadium in southern Indiana by a 3-0 score.

Coming off the backs of a 4-0 home win over Valparaiso on Sunday, the Panthers improve to 2-2-0 in Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) play with consecutive shutouts and high-quality play from its offense, having outscored its opponents 7-0 in the last two contests. Thursday's win also marked only the second time in program history, and first since 2017 and 2018 that the Panthers had beaten Evansville in consecutive seasons.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Northern Iowa grabbed a quick lead in just the fifth minute of the game as Lauren Heinsch's shot attempt on goal took a deflection of an Evansville defender, slipping past Aces goalkeeper Miya Danik for a quick 1-0 Panther advantage on an own goal. With Heinsch, along with Maddie Eastus and Haylee Braun leading the offensive charge with attacks on goal in the face of a strong Evansville defense, Macy Smith was able to break away and fire a line drive kick into the net midway through the 44th minute, giving the Panthers a 2-0 lead heading into halftime.

UNI capitalized on its two goal advantage and extended its lead in the 56th minute of action as Denise Camarena and Eastus found Olivia Knoepfle in front of the goal for an easy tap-in shot and a 3-0 Panther lead. Richards would face just one shot attempt on goal from the Purple Aces' offense, which narrowly outshot Northern Iowa by an 8-7 margin.

"Pleased with our performance tonight," said UNI head coach Bruce Erickson following the win. "Our players came out with a focus and an attitude to do whatever it took to get three points. Forwards defending, winning first and second balls and winning their duels. And great goals too!"

ADDITIONAL NOTES

UNI improves to 7-15-5 all-time with its win at Evansville on Thursday night.
The Panthers have now scored 29 total goals this year, third-most in a single season in team history. Additionally, with 16 total assists this year, this year's Panther squad is now tied for the fifth in single-season school history.
Thursday was UNI's first win in a night game this season.
Goalkeeper Caitlin Richards' 19th career shutout, which set a new program record, breaks a tie with former Panther and current UNI assistant coach Jami Reichenberger, who recorded 18 career shutouts during her Northern Iowa career in 2017 and 2018.
Richards has recorded at least one save in her last 13 matches dating back to last season.
Lauren Heinsch appeared in and started her 79th career match on Thursday night, tied with Hannah DeVitt (2015-18) and Sarah Brandt (2014-17) for the most appearances in team history.
Olivia Knoepfle takes over the Panther lead with her team-leading sixth goal of the season, tied for ninth-most in a single-season in UNI history. Her now 16 career goals are fifth-most all-time in team history as well.
Maddie Eastus recorded her tenth career assists on Thursday, becoming the seventh player in team history to notch ten or more assists as a Panther.

UP NEXT
The Panthers will remain in southern Indiana and will return to action on Sunday, Oct. 6 as they take on Indiana State at the Memorial Stadium in Terre Haute. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT 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