UNI soccer falls to Western Illinois, 2-1

Sunday, September 6

Macomb, Ill.

2 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

0-6-1, 0-0-0

Western Illinois

1-7-0, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
UNI	0	1	1
Western Ill.	1	1	2

Photo by: UNI Athletics

UNI soccer falls to Western Illinois, 2-1

9/6/2026 4:44:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score FINAL RESULTS

McGinnis nets first career goal, but Panthers fall short in Macomb.

MACOMB, Ill. --- UNI freshman Ella McGinnis scored her first career goal in the waning minutes of the second half on Sunday as the Panther soccer team fell to Western Illinois on Sunday by a score of 2-1 at John MacKenzie Alumni Field.

Western Illinois controlled the tempo offensively, outshooting Northern Iowa by a 18-13 margin, while also finding more opportunities on net, leading the shot on goal totals 10-4.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Western Illinois struck first with the game's first goal in the 17th minute as Callie McMurtrey scored on a breakaway to make it 1-0 Leathernecks. WIU continued to apply the pressure offensively, taking nine shots in the first half with five attempts being on goal. Shaelee Franck orchestrated UNI's attack on offense, leading the Panthers with three shot attempts, followed by two shots from Ella Ubben.

In the second half, the Leathernecks would net their second goal of the contest, as Rita Moran scored in the 70th minute for a 2-0 Western Illinois lead. UNI had scoring opportunities on offense with Franck, Kylie Knief and Keira Bogott all putting shots-on-goal in the second half. UNI would get on the board in the 89th minute as McGinnis connected on a header to cut the lead to 2-1.

Franck would finish the match with a team-high five shot attempts. Ella Ubben had two shot attempts, while Hailey Luedtke notched eight saves in net for the Panthers.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

UNI falls to 8-10-5 all-time against Western Illinois with Sunday's loss.
McGinnis joins Abi Roberts as Northern Iowa's lone goal scorers of the 2026 season. Roberts scored for the Panthers in UNI's 1-1 draw against St. Ambrose on Aug. 27.
Shaelee Franck's five shot attempts were a career-high.
Goalkeeper Hailey Luedtke has recorded five or more saves in four of her five match appearances this season.

UP NEXT
The Panthers return to action on Thursday, Sept. 10 when they host St. Thomas in their final non-conference matchup of the fall. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT at the UNI Soccer Field 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.