University of Northern Iowa Athletics
2024 Women's Soccer Roster
Roster

Jersey Number 5
Liberty Bates
- Position:
- Forward/Defense
- Class:
- Freshman
- High School:
- Abraham Lincoln HS
- Hometown:
- Council Bluffs, Iowa
2024: MVC Honor Roll ... Appeared in ten matches ... Took two shot attempts.
HIGH SCHOOL: Three-year letterwinner at Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs under head coach Robby Miller … Helped the Lynx capture three Missouri Valley Conference championships (2021, 2022, 2023) and an Iowa Class 3A state runner-up finish as a sophomore in 2022 … Three-time All-Conference selection (2021, 2022, 2023) … Second Team All-State honoree (2023) … Daily Nonpareil Southwest Player of the Year (2023) … Set school records for both single season and career goals scored and assists … Also ran one year of track … AP scholar and four-year honor roll student.
PERSONAL: Native of Council Bluffs, Iowa … Daughter of Darren Bates and Melanie Garrels … Sister of Lillianna and Lexie … Majoring in political science … Played club soccer with Sporting Nebraska FC GA … Volunteers in helping run youth soccer camps, fire prevention week with the Omaha Fire Department and by donating to the clothing drive for the area homeless shelter … Enjoys traveling and learning about new places.
HIGH SCHOOL: Three-year letterwinner at Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs under head coach Robby Miller … Helped the Lynx capture three Missouri Valley Conference championships (2021, 2022, 2023) and an Iowa Class 3A state runner-up finish as a sophomore in 2022 … Three-time All-Conference selection (2021, 2022, 2023) … Second Team All-State honoree (2023) … Daily Nonpareil Southwest Player of the Year (2023) … Set school records for both single season and career goals scored and assists … Also ran one year of track … AP scholar and four-year honor roll student.
PERSONAL: Native of Council Bluffs, Iowa … Daughter of Darren Bates and Melanie Garrels … Sister of Lillianna and Lexie … Majoring in political science … Played club soccer with Sporting Nebraska FC GA … Volunteers in helping run youth soccer camps, fire prevention week with the Omaha Fire Department and by donating to the clothing drive for the area homeless shelter … Enjoys traveling and learning about new places.
UNI Panther Football: The Best Pod of your Day (Episode 9)
Wednesday, October 15
Alex Place Thomas Press Conference - Oct. 13, 2025
Monday, October 13
Softball Hit-A-Thon 2025
Thursday, October 09
UNI Panther Football: The Best Pod of your Day (Episode 8)
Wednesday, October 08