UNI soccer ties South Dakota in season opener, 1-1

Thursday, August 14

Vermillion, S.D.

4 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

0-0-1, 0-0-0

South Dakota

0-0-1, 0-0-0

UNI

South Dakota

UNI soccer ties South Dakota in season opener, 1-1

8/14/2025 7:20:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score FINAL RESULTS Photo Gallery

Balistreri scores the equalizer in 67th minute as Panthers draw in first match under Coach Place Thomas.

VERMILLION, S.D. — The UNI soccer team kicked off the 2025 regular season on Thursday afternoon, battling back after an early second half deficit to escape the First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex with a 1-1 draw against the South Dakota Coyotes.

In the first match under the leadership of interim head coach Alex Place Thomas, Northern Iowa overcame a slow first half performance on offense, tying the match 22 minutes after USD grabbed the lead while staying on the attack down the stretch.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Panthers opened the first 45 minutes of the season with a strong defensive stand despite 14 shot attempts by the South Dakota offense. Kennedy Buntenbach, making her first career start in goal, notched four saves in the opening half, while Milan Cordone, Kylie Knief and Aynslea Ulschmid each got one shot attempt in a scoreless first half.

Opening the second half, UNI came out strong on offense, but would fall behind in the 49th minute as USD's Klarissa Vega found Kyla Brown for the go-ahead goal and a 1-0 Coyote lead.

The Panthers answered in the 67th minute as Knief delivered an assist to Sophia Balistreri, who's head shot past the hands of All-Summit League goalkeeper Cambell Fischer evened the match at 1-1. After just three shot attempts in the first half, UNI doubled its total in the second frame, while maintaining a strong defense and offensive attack in the final minutes.

Cordone snagged three shot attempts with one on goal, with Macy Smith who secured two shot attempts with one on goal, while Balistreri scored on her lone shot attempt. Buntenbach meanwhile recorded a career-high five saves in the match.

"We faced a quality opponent to open up our season," said Coach Place Thomas following the match. "I was proud of our team's adversity in the heat and coming back from a 1-0 deficit. We have a lot to build on as we head into the rest of our season, but our team is ready to keep moving forward."

ADDITIONAL NOTES

UNI is now 9-5-4 all-time against South Dakota following Thursday's draw, the second consecutive year the Panthers have tied the Coyotes.
Northern Iowa is now 10-7-9 all-time in regular season opening matches with two wins and two ties in the past four seasons.
Sophia Balistreri's game-tying goal in the 67th minute was the third goal of her collegiate career. Kylie Knief also tallied her third career assist on the goal.
Three members of the Panther roster made their collegiate debuts on Thursday in Vermillion, including freshman Abby O'Brien and Aynslea Ulschmid, as well as redshirt freshman Allison Flies. North Dakota transfer Milan Cordone also made her UNI debut in the match.

UP NEXT
The Panthers return to the road on Sunday, Aug. 17 as they head to Wisconsin to take on Milwaukee. Kickoff at Engelmann Stadium is scheduled for 5 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 2025 schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.