University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Northern Illinois
UNI soccer faces first road test at Northern Illinois
8/22/2026 12:15:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Panthers continue non-conference play, eying first win of 2026.
UNI soccer (0-3-0 / 0-0-0 MVC) | Northern Illinois (0-1-1 / 0-0-0 Horizon)
- Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026
- 2 p.m. CT
- NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex | DeKalb, Ill.
- LIVE RESULTS
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- The UNI soccer team continues non-conference play on Sunday with its first road trip of 2026 as it travels to central Illinois to take on the Northern Illinois Huskies.
Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT at NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. No live stream will be available for this match.
Northern Iowa returns to action after a narrow 1-0 loss at home against Omaha on Thursday to close out a three-match homestand to begin the 2026 campaign. UNI's Hailey Luedtke shined in her collegiate debut in goal with ten saves, the most by a single UNI keeper in a game since Caitlin Richards the 2020-21 COVID season against Illinois State. Her ten saves were also the most by a Northern Iowa keeper in their UNI debut since at least 2008.
Despite only three shot attempts, including two from Kylie Knief, the Panthers found improved ball movement and opportunities in the offensive zone of the field. Shaelee Franck and Alli Saviano also each recorded one shot attempt in the loss to Omaha.
Sunday marks the sixth time Northern Iowa and Northern Illinois will play in the two programs' history and first since 2018, with the all-time series record tied at 2-2-1. UNI has won the previous two matchups, including a 3-1 win in Cedar Falls in 2018 and a 3-2 win in DeKalb in 2017.
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SCOUTING NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Northern Illinois is coming off a 2025 campaign that concluded with a 4-10-3 record. The Huskies, who are playing their first season as a member of the Horizon League, tied their second match of the year last Sunday with a 2-2 draw at DePaul.
Head coach Michael O'Neill lost his three leading point scorers from a season ago to graduation, with Julianna Hill returning after totaling two points a season ago. Hill notched her first goal of the year against DePaul last weekend, with Abby Foulk scoring the Huskies second.
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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). Schedule and roster information, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.
