University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Western Illinois
UNI soccer welcomes Western Illinois in home opener
8/23/2025 2:16:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Panthers seek first win of the year hosting Ohio Valley Conference challenger.
UNI soccer (0-1-1 / 0-0-0 MVC) vs. Western Illinois (1-1-0 / 0-0-0 OVC)
- Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025
- 1 p.m. CT
- Cedar Falls, Iowa | UNI Soccer Field
- WATCH (ESPN+) [Tim Harwood: Play-by-Play / Spencer Steffy: Analyst]
- LIVE STATS
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CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- The UNI soccer team will open its 2025 home slate this weekend as the Panthers host the Western Illinois Leathernecks in non-conference action on Sunday afternoon.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT at the UNI Soccer Field with live coverage of the match available on ESPN+ with Tim Harwood and Spencer Steffy on the call.
Fans in attendance will be treated to the debut of a new concessions stand at the facility, located in the northwest corner of the field.. Spectators are also encouraged to join the Panthers following the match for autographs in the west end bleachers.
Sunday's match pits the Panthers against a Leatherneck squad that leads the all-time series 9-7-5. Northern Iowa emerged victorious in its last meeting with WIU last August in a 5-1 victory in Macomb. UNI is 12-11-2 all-time in home opening matches, including 3-1-1 in its last five.
UNI will look for its first win of the season and its first under the leadership of interim head coach Alex Place Thomas following a tough 4-0 loss to reigning Horizon League champion Milwaukee last Sunday in Wisconsin. Northern Iowa managed to get a look at both goalkeepers with Kennedy Buntenbach starting the first half against Milwaukee and Thordis Melstead in the second half with each allowing two goals each. Buntenbach notched a career-high in saves in the loss, with Kylie Knief leading with two shot attempts, while Milan Cordone, Olivia Knoepfle, Sophia Balistreri, Macy Smith and Sydney Burskey each added one shot attempt each.
In the record books, a pair of Panthers look to continue to make an impact and climb UNI's record books. Forward Olivia Knoepfle enters Sunday's match ranking third in school history in matches with an assist (11), fourth in matches with a point (20), fifth in matches with a goal (13), tied for seventh in match-winning goals (4) and ninth in shots on goal (50). Denise Camarena meanwhile sits tied for ninth in UNI history with seven career assists.
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SCOUTING WESTERN ILLINOIS
The Leathernecks hit the road for the first time this season following a 5-0 shutout loss at home on Thursday to Drake, splitting their first two matches of the year after a 2-0 victory over St. Ambrose to open the season. WIU managed just two shots on goal in the loss, both coming from the foot of defender Daniela Gularte.
Western Illinois struggled last season going 1-14-1 and 1-7-1 in Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) play, scoring just six total goals in 2024 while allowing 39 to its opponents. With a new head coach this fall in Ross Henderson at the helm, the Leathernecks were picked to finish tenth in the OVC preseason poll, with goalkeeper Ariel Bernard being named to the conference's preseason watchlist.
Callie McMurtrey, Ali Matthews and Rita Moran, who each scored one of WIU's six total goals in 2024, all return for the Leathernecks this season, with Bernard back in goal after posting a 2.12 goals allowed average and a .771 save percentage last year. Midfielder Kayla Turner has scored both of WIU's two goals this season, while Bernard has started in goal for both contests against St. Ambrose and Drake.
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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.
