Panther soccer looks to extend win streak Sunday against the Sycamores

UNI soccer (7-4-1 / 2-2-0 MVC) at Indiana State (7-3-3 / 2-1-1 MVC)

12 p.m. CT | Oct. 6, 2024
Memorial Stadium
Terre Haute, Ind.
ESPN+
LIVE STATS

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — UNI soccer rounds out their short two-match road trip in southern Indiana on Sunday as they take on the Indiana State Sycamores in a Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) matchup between the league's top two scoring offenses.

Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT at the Memorial Stadium in Terre Haute with live coverage available on ESPN+.

The Sycamores carry a 12-10-4 all-time record against UNI into Sunday's contest, but the Panthers won their last encounter with Indiana State at home in Cedar Falls on the UNI Soccer Field, claiming a 2-0 victory last season.

The Panthers head into this matchup after coming off two consecutive shutout conference games, most recently a 3-0 shutout win at Evansville on Thursday night. Northern Iowa quickly took the lead in the fifth minute when Lauren Heinsch's shot deflected off an Evansville defender, resulting in an own goal for a 1-0 Panther advantage. Lauren Heinsch, Maddie Eastus and Haylee Braun continued to pressure a strong Evansville defense, allowing Macy Smith to score with a line drive goal in the 44th minute, making it 2-0 at halftime. In the 56th minute, UNI extended its lead when Denise Camarena and Eastus set up Olivia Knoepfle, who split the Evansville defense to score, finalizing the score, 3-0. The Purple Aces managed only one shot on goal against Richards, narrowly outshooting UNI 8-7.

UNI's performance placed Caitlyn Richards on top of the list for the program's most career shutouts, recording 19 career clean sheets for UNI and breaking a tie with former Panther and current UNI assistant coach Jami Reichenberger (2017-18). In addition, Richards has recorded a career goals allowed average of 1.24, the second-lowest average in UNI history.

Senior forward Heinsch has been a multi-record setter for the Panthers this season and is expected to play in her UNI record 80th career game on Sunday, passing Hannah Devitt (2015-18) and Sarah Brandt (2014-17) for most all-time by a Panther. She also set Northern Iowa's program record with her 74th career start earlier this year at UT Martin. Heinsch also is currently tied as the program leader in career game-winning goals (8) and games with a goal scored (20).

The Panthers have scored 29 goals this season, marking the third-highest total in team history. Additionally, with 16 assists, this year's team is now tied for fifth place in single-season assists in school history.

SCOUTING THE SYCAMORES
Indiana State hosts UNI after securing a 2-0 home win over Drake on Thursday night.The Sycamore, who finished 2-6-10 last season, struggled to finish matches, drawing even in ten of 18 matches a year ago. The 2024 Sycamores have posted a strong turnaround with their only two losses this year coming to Drake and Robert Morris.

Under the leadership of second year head coach Paul Lawrence, the Sycamores look to continue their winning stretch with the help of the freshmen duo of Alex Lehnert and Mackenzie Kent, who lead Indiana State with eight of the Sycamores' 26 goals this season. Both are supported by nine teams who have also contributed to the league's highest scoring offense. Wimberley Wright has tallied five assists this season for ISU, while goalkeeper Maddie Alexander leads with an impressive 82 saves in goal and a .921 save percentage.

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.

Calendar

Upcoming Events