University of Northern Iowa
3-2-1, 0-0-0
St. Ambrose
2-2-0, 0-0-0
UNI soccer: Camarena, Burksey score in shutout of St. Ambrose
9/4/2025 6:52:00 PM | Women's Soccer
UNI notches second straight shutout win. Panthers host Iowa State next Thursday to round out non-conference play.
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — UNI soccer outshot the St. Ambrose Fighting Bees by a 24-6 margin on Thursday afternoon as the Panthers climbed above the .500 mark for the first time this year with a 2-0 shutout victory at the UNI Soccer Field.
After a scoreless first half, Denise Camarena and Sydney Burskey each netted an unassisted goal within 20 minutes of one another, improving Northern Iowa's record to 3-2-1 and 3-0-0 at home this year. The Panthers have also now notched three shutout victories this year, and two in a row.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In the first half of action, the Panther offense put heavy pressure on the reigning Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) champions, outshooting the Fighting Bees by a 10-4 margin. UNI goalkeeper Kennedy Buntenbach recorded saves on three of SAU's shot attempts as both teams went into the halftime break scoreless, 0-0.
Camarena lit a fire under the Panthers out of the break just two minutes into the second half with a left-footed shot past a diving Jonna Tucker for the Bees to give UNI a 1-0 advantage. In the 67th minute, Burskey joined in the offensive push as her shot attempt trickled past Tucker and over the goal line to double the Panther lead.
Burskey finished the day with a team-high five shot attempts, with Camarena, Olivia Knoepfle and Macy Smith each adding three attempts. Kylie Knief and Aynslea Ulschmid both took two shot attempts, while Caroline Hazen, Allison Flies, Milan Cordone, Sophie Hoffmann, Haylee Braun and Addie Lange all took one shot attempt in the Panther win. Buntenbach recorded no saves in the second half and finished with three saves for the match.
"I was pleased with how our team responded to feedback in the second half," said UNI interim head coach Alex Place Thomas said. "We had more quality opportunities, which led to more success. Our experienced players and leaders on offense really helped get our attack going. I'm proud of the whole team and our defense for maintaining the shut out."
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- UNI improves to a perfect 13-0-0 all-time against St. Ambrose with Thursday's win. The Panthers have also outscored the Fighting Bees by a 34-4 margin in the series.
- Denise Camarena's goal in the 47th minute was her second of the season and third of her career. Her goal also set a new single-season career-high.
- Sydney Burskey's 67th minute goal was her second of the year and sixth of her career.
- Thursday's match marked Kennedy Buntenbach's first career solo shutout of her career. She contributed to combined shutouts alongside Thordis Melsted against Western Illinois and Viterbo this season, and four additional matches in the last three seasons.
UP NEXT
The Panthers return to action next Thursday, Sept. 11 as they host the Iowa State Cyclones in their final non-conference contest. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the UNI Soccer Field in Cedar Falls, 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.
Team Stats
Denise Camarena (2)
GOAL by UNI Camarena, Denise.
46:27
Sydney Burskey (2)
GOAL by UNI Burskey, Sydney.
66:23
