O’Brien’s scores late, Panther soccer ties Valparaiso in homecoming match

Sunday, October 11

Cedar Falls, Iowa

1 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

1-9-2, 1-2-1

Valparaiso

5-6-2, 1-2-1

Team	1	2	Final F
Valparaiso	1	0	1
UNI	0	1	1

Photo by: UNI Athletics

O’Brien’s scores late, Panther soccer ties Valparaiso in homecoming match

10/11/2026 4:28:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score FINAL RESULTS Photo Gallery

O’Brien nets first goal of the season in 83rd minute. Panthers visit Evansville on Thursday night.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- The UNI soccer team trailed for 63 minutes but pulled even with the Valparaiso Beacons in the final seven minutes of action on Sunday, securing a 1-1 draw against their Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) rival at the UNI Soccer Field.

Northern Iowa outshot Valparaiso in the match, leading 18-11 in attempts while earning nine shots on goal to the Beacons seven. Kailey O'Brien leveled the match with the Panthers' lone goal of the contest, connecting on a free kick in the 83rd minute of play.

Prior to the match, a jersey retirement ceremony was held for former goalie Anne Marie Witko, the program's first goalkeeper who played from 2000 to 2003.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams would not record a shot until 13 minutes into the match when Morgan Smith put one on goal for UNI. The Beacons would break the scoreless tie in the 20th minute as Sofia Raco connected on a right-footed goal to put Valparaiso up 1-0. UNI had opportunities to tie the contest before halftime with Shaelee Franck and Keira Bogott putting attempts shot on goal, which were saved by Beacons' goalkeeper Salange Bell.

Valparaiso kept its momentum going offensively into the second frame, recording two shots on target to start the second half. UNI would begin to shift momentum in its favor in the final 30 minutes with Franck and Torie Delgado notching shots on goal. The Panthers would break through in the 83rd minutes as O'Brien scored unassisted on a free kick, allowing UNI to defend and run out the clock and secure a point in the league table.

Smith and Morgan led Northern Iowa with two shots on goal in the match, while O'Brien, Delgado, Aly Arena and Audrey Still each accounted for one. Panther goalkeeper Hailey Luedtke recorded six saves in the contest.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

UNI's all-time record against Valparaiso now sits at 6-7-3 following Sunday's match. The Panthers had won each of the previous two matchups and extended their unbeaten streak against the Beacons to three matches.
Kailey O'Brien's goal in the 83rd minute was the first of her collegiate career. O'Brien played the previous three seasons at Youngstown State (2023-25) with six career shot attempts before scoring on Sunday's against Valparaiso.
With five matches remaining in the regular season, the Panthers now sit in a tie with Valparaiso for sixth-place in the MVC table. The league's top-six teams will qualify for the MVC Tournament this fall.
Goalkeeper Hailey Luedtke's 66 total saves on the year and 5.5 saves per match through Sunday's contest both lead the MVC.

UP NEXT
The Panthers return to action on Thursday, Oct. 15 when they visit the Evansville Purple Aces in MVC action. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT at the Arad McCutchan Stadium in Evansville 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). Schedule and roster information, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.