Panther soccer controls first half in 5-1 win over Western Illinois

Sunday, August 18

Cedar Falls, Iowa

12 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

1-0-1, 0-0-0

Western Illinois

0-2-0, 0-0-0

Western Ill.

UNI

Photo by: Joel Wauters

Panther soccer controls first half in 5-1 win over Western Illinois

8/18/2024 3:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score FINAL RESULTS Photo Gallery

UNI ties single half scoring record in first win of 2024 season. Panthers visit Iowa State on Sunday.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- A dominant first half on offense was the catalyst for the UNI soccer team on Sunday as the Panthers grabbed their first win of the young season at home in a 5-1 performance against the Western Illinois Leathernecks.

The Panthers struck early in the fourth minute of action as Morgan Barnette netted her first goal of the season on an assist from Lauren Heinsch for a 1-0 advantage. It wouldn't take long for UNI to double its lead as Barnette scored once again just eight minutes later in the 12th minute on an unassisted score, recording her first career multi-goal match and doubling her career total from a year ago.

Northern Iowa would get in on the action in the 25th minute as Maddie Eastus found Olivia Bohl for a high top-corner off her right foot to stretch the Panther lead to 3-0. UNI broke things open just three minutes later in the 28th minute of play as Heinsch scored her first goal of the season and 21st of her career unassisted. Marissa Gross gave the Panthers one final score in the half in the 35th minute on a high left shot to the corner of the net on an unassisted shot attempt, the first goal of her career to give UNI a 5-0 halftime lead.

The Panthers would keep the pressure on the Western Illinois defense after a goalkeeping change at the break, but would not be able to find the back of the net. Despite this, UNI outshot the Leathernecks 15-2 in the second half. Callie McMurtrey would put WIU on the board with a goal in the 56th minute on an assisted by Rachel Balinao, breaking up the shutout bid.

"Really pleased with our team today and our movement, both on and off the ball," said UNI head coach Bruce Erickson on the win. "Some great goals and improvement shown over Thursday's game."

Barnette finished the afternoon with a game-high six shot attempts and her two goals, with Eastus and Macy Smith each taking three shot attempts. In goal, Caitlin Richards recorded a pair of saves in 75 minutes of action before being lifted for Kennedy Buntenbach for the final 14 and a half minutes of the match.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

UNI improves to 7-9-5 all-time against Western Illinois with Sunday's win, its first against the Leathernecks since 2016.
The Panthers extended their regular season home unbeaten streak to 15 matches. UNI's last home loss in the regular season came on Sept. 25, 2022 in a 2-0 loss.
Northern Iowa's five first half goals is tied for most in team history. UNI previously scored five goals in the first half on Sept. 7, 2016 vs. Midland and Oct. 1, 2018 against Viterbo.
UNI's 18 first half shot attempts are tied for fifth-most in a single half in team history, while its 33 total shots are also tied for fifth-most in a single match.
Lauren Heinsch's 28th minute goal was the 21st of her career, moving her into sole possession of second on UNI's all-time list and two away from tying Chelsie Hochstedler's (2007-10) program record of 23. Heinsch also notched her 16th career game with a goal, tied with Shanon Dechant (2002-05) for second-most in UNI history, and her 22nd career game with at least one point, also second-most all-time at UNI.
Heinsch, who also recorded her ninth career assist on Sunday, became the first Panther in team history to surpass 50 career points.
Barnette's two first half goals doubles her career total to four after scoring her first two career goals in 2023. Olivia Bohl's 25th minute score was her second career goal, while Marissa Gross' 35th minute tally was the first.
Four Panther freshmen made their collegiate debuts on Sunday in Abby Bell, Liberty Bates, Ella Ubben and Kylie Knief, all playing at least 15 minutes.

UP NEXT
The Panthers will hit the road next Sunday, Aug. 25 as they head to Ames to take on the Iowa State Cyclones. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT at the Cyclone Sports Complex 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.