University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Omaha
Panther soccer returns to pitch for matchup versus Omaha
8/18/2026 9:41:00 AM | Women's Soccer
UNI looks to break into win column against Mavericks in Cancer Awareness Game.
UNI soccer (0-2-0 / 0-0-0 MVC) | Omaha (0-1-0 / 0-0-0 Summit)
- Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026
- 4 p.m. CT
- UNI Soccer Field | Cedar Falls, Iowa
- WATCH (ESPN+) | Tim Harwood (Play-by-Play) / Spencer Steffey (Analyst)
- LIVE RESULTS
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The UNI soccer team will close out its season-opening three-match homestand on Thursday afternoon as it welcomes the Omaha Mavericks to town for a non-conference matchup.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT at the UNI Soccer Field with the contest free and open to the public.
Spectators can park in the west UNI-Dome lot as well as the gravel lot located next to the Doug and Anne Goschke Outdoor Practice Facility. Parking behind the team benches will be reserved for staff and game officials only.
UNI will debut their new lavender kits during Thursday's contest for the program's annual Cancer Awareness Game. Lavender is the color used to show support for the fight against all forms of cancer.
UNI returns to action after a difficult 4-0 loss to MIlwaukee on Sunday at home. Northern Iowa had scoring opportunities with Shaelee Franck notching one shot attempt on goal, while Morgan Smith and Audrey Still each had one shot attempt. Goalkeeper Poppy Anderson finished the contest with a season-high six saves in her second match for the Panthers in net.
Thursday will mark the ninth time that UNI and Omaha will play in the two programs' history. The Mavericks lead the series with a record of 4-3-3 and won the previous matchup in 2024 by a score of 2-1. The last time the two schools played at the UNI Soccer Field was in 2023, when UNI won by a score of 3-2.
SCOUTING OMAHA
The Mavericks are coming off a 1-0 loss to Iowa State in Ames last Wednesday in their season opener and lone match of the 2026 season. Head coach Tim Walters returns five of his leading point scorers from a 2025 campaign that ended with a 6-9-4 record.
Forward Kendall Dobberstein returns for Omaha after scoring 14 total points along with four goals in the previous campaign for the Mavericks. Charley Kort also returns at forward for Omaha after scoring three goals in 2026 along with 10 points. Payten Ivins and Lauren Schmidt also returned for coach Walters after scoring eight points a-piece for Omaha in 2025.
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.
