Heinsch sets program scoring record as UNI soccer wins at UT Martin

Sunday, September 8

Martin, Tenn.

1 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

5-1-1, 0-0-0

UT Martin

1-4-2, 0-0-0

UNI

UT Martin

UNI soccer vs. St. Thomas | Sept. 6, 2024 (Cedar Falls, Iowa)

Photo by: Bell Rogers

Heinsch sets program scoring record as UNI soccer wins at UT Martin

9/8/2024 3:46:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score FINAL RESULTS

UNI nets three first half goals in road win in Tennessee. Panther close out non-conference play next Sunday at Omaha.

MARTIN, Tenn. — Senior Lauren Heinsch etched her name deeper into the UNI soccer record books on Sunday, setting the program's all-time scoring record and record for most career starts as the Panthers defeated the UT Martin Skyhawks on the road by a 3-2 score.

Northern Iowa improves to 5-1-1 with its fourth consecutive win, the best non-conference record among Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) teams to this point in the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED
UNI took an early lead in the 12th minute of play as Marissa Gross found Heinsch on a wide open shot in front of the net, allowing the senior forward to net her fourth goal of the season and 24th of her career, breaking a tie with Chelsie Hochstedler (2007-10) for the most goals scored in Panther history. Heinsch also set a new school record passing Sarah Lowe (2000-03) and Kate Shaw (2000-03), both members of the inaugural UNI soccer team in 2000 for the most career starts in school history (74).

Maddie Eastus doubled the Northern Iowa lead just five minutes later in the 17th minute on an unassisted goal to the top-left corner of the goal, putting UNI ahead 2-0. The Skyhawks would answer however in the 24th minute as Izzy Patterson scored off an assist from Shayla Addington.

The Panthers would extend the lead back to two goals in the 38th minute as freshman Ella Anliker found the back of the net for the first time in her collegiate career on an assist from Caroline Hazen, giving UNI a 3-1 lead into halftime. UT Martin would score the lone goal of the second half in the 52nd minute with Makayla Robinson squeezing a shot past UNI goalkeeper Caitlin Richards on a double assist from Patterson and Unni Wolf.

"Really like how we grinded out the win today on the road," said UNI head coach Bruce Erickson following the win. "Happy for Lauren getting the all-time goal scoring record and Maddie and Ella for excellent goals."

Anliker led the Panthers with four total shot attempts, with Richards grabbing five saves for her fifth win of the season as a starter.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

In just the second all-time meeting between UNI and UT Martin, the Panthers improve to 2-0. Northern Iowa defeated the Skyhawks 3-1 in Cedar Falls last September.
Sunday marks the third time in school history UNI has won at least five of its first seven matches. The Panthers started last season with a 6-0-1 mark, while the 2003 squad went 6-1-0 to begin the team's fourth season of play.
Heinsch has now scored a goal in 19 career matches with the Panthers, one away from tying Chelsie Hochstedler's (2007-10) school record of 20.
Marissa Gross' assist on Heinsch's first half goal was her second of the season and fifth of her career.
Caroline Hazen notched her second assist of 2024 and fourth of her collegiate career on Ella Anliker's match-winning goal late in the first half.

UP NEXT
The Panthers will head west on Sunday, Sept. 15 to take on the Omaha Mavericks for their final non-conference matchup of the season. Kickoff is scheduled for at 1 p.m. CT on Caniglia Field with live coverage of the match will be available on Midco Sports Plus.

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.