The Panther women’s soccer team headed back on the road last week, falling in two conference battles to Drake 2-0 and Missouri State 2-1.  The two-game skid puts the Panthers at 5-9 on the season with just two games left to play.

The Panther women couldn’t take down Drake, despite outshooting the Bulldogs 13-11 in Des Moines on Wednesday, Oct. 16.

“Wednesday night, we had probably 40 minutes I felt were, really, very good, but that’s barely half the game,” head coach Bruce Erickson said. “We just had a couple let-downs at the wrong moments, and created a lot of chances.”

Sydney Hayden led the team in shots with six, two of which were on goal. The Bulldogs ended the game with goals in the 39th and 64th minute.

Following the in-state road trip, the Panthers trekked down to Springfield, Mo., to take on the Missouri State Bears on Saturday, Oct. 19. The Purple and Gold couldn’t take down the Bears, falling 2-1 in a tight game.

The Bears’ offense scored early on in the 7th minute, and then were held off until the 60th minute. Lizzie Mewes put the Panthers on the board with a goal in the 77th minute.

“We really didn’t start playing until we conceded the second goal, and then we scored and almost scored right at the end,” Erickson said. “We’re right there, we’re just not making the plays that other teams are making, and in soccer goals change games.”

The Panther women drop to 1-4 in conference play with two MVC matchups left. The last two games will decide if UNI will make it to the conference tournament.

“Now there’s a little bit of pressure on them, which I don’t think is a bad thing,” Erickson said.  “I think that probably keeps them more focused because they know what’s at hand.”

Up next, the Panthers will host their final home game, facing off against the Evansville Aces at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26.