University of Northern Iowa
9-6-4, 4-3-3
Illinois State
6-9-4, 3-4-3
UNI soccer falls to Illinois State in MVC Tournament opener
10/31/2024 6:09:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Richards sets program record for minutes played in goal as the Panthers end the season with a 9-6-4 record, tied for the fourth-most wins in team history.
CHICAGO — UNI soccer's 2024 season came to an end on Thursday afternoon as the Panthers fell to Illinois State by a 1-0 score in the opening round of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Tournament at Flames Field in Chicago.
Battling a fierce wind throughout the entirety of the match in a rematch of Sunday's regular season finale in Normal, Northern Iowa defense held the Redbirds to just one shot attempt in the first half before the UNI offense turned up the heat with nine shot attempts in the final 45 minutes.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Driving into the wind for the first half of action, UNI was unable to get off a shot despite a pair of corner kicks. Meanwhile, the Panther defense shut down Illinois State with only one shot attempted.
Northern Iowa put the pressure on Redbirds goalkeeper Madi Valenti in the final frame with five shots on goal, but struggled to punch any attempts into the net. Illinois State would grab a 1-0 lead in the 59th minute as Erika Wells scored unassisted for her first career goal. Despite a late push from the Panthers, UNI was unable to even the match in the final 31 minutes, dropping their postseason opener.
Maddie Eastus led UNI with four shot attempts, while Macy Smith, Denise Camarena, Lauren Heinsch and Olivia Bohl all recorded one shot. Panther goalkeeper Caitlin Richards, who broke Anne Marie Witko's (2000-03) school record for career minutes played in goal, finished the match with three saves.
"Disappointed with today's results, but proud of the season we had and the seniors who led the way," said UNI head coach Bruce Erickson following the loss. "The conditions really affected the game and that took away a bit of our ability to be dangerous. Had the chances, just couldn't put them away."
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- UNI falls to 9-18-1 all-time against the Redbirds, including 1-2-0 against Illinois State in the postseason.
- Northern Iowa's 2024 campaign was the second highest scoring season in program history with 37 goals scored, second only to its 45 goals just last season. UNI averaged 1.95 goals per match with 21 assists and 95 total points, third-most in a season in UNI history.
- Forward Lauren Heinsch finishes the season with a team-high eight goals, tied for third most in UNI history. The Mahtomedi, Minnesota native ends her collegiate career as Northern Iowa's all-time leader in goals scored (28), points (65), games with a goal (22), games with a point recorded (28), shot attempts (237), shots on goal (119), games played and games started (86).
- Midfielder Maddie Eastus concludes her college career after a breakout season with seven goals scored and four assists for 16 points, tied with Olivia Knoepfle for the team-high. Eastus ranks eighth all-time in UNI history in goals scored (13), tied for fourth in assists (11), tied for eighth in points (37), tied for fourth in games with a point (20) and top ten in shot attempts (97).
- Goalkeeper Caitlin Richards finished the season playing an even 1,710 minutes in goal, fifth-most in a single UNI season. Richards ends her career as the Panthers' all-time leader in shutouts (20) and minutes played in goal (6,494), as well as second in goals allowed average (1.22).
- Richards also ends the season and her career having notched at least one save in her final 20 career games, a streak dating back to last season.
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.
Team Stats
Erika Wells (1)
GOAL by ILS Wells, Erika.
59:18
