UNI soccer traveled to Normal, Ill. on Thursday, Sept. 22, to go up against Illinois State. UNI came into this game having lost their last four games, and were looking to snap the losing streak. The Panthers were able to do this, as they defeated the Redbirds 3-0.

UNI was able to get a couple shots on goal in the early going, but neither of them were able to make their way past Illinois State goalkeeper Audrey Brown. The third time did prove to be the charm, as UNI’s Ashley Harrington put one through on an assist by Olivia Knoepfle in the 28th minute.

The rest of the first period was relatively quiet, as UNI’s defense was dominant. They held the Redbirds to just three shots in the first period, with none of them being on goal. The Panthers would go into the half up 1-0.

The second half got under way, and UNI hoped to extend on their lead early. Illinois State threatened in the early going, putting up three shots in the first five minutes of the second period. Fortunately for UNI, none of these shots made it to UNI goalkeeper Caitlin Richards. Now, the Panthers decided to make some noise. They scored two goals within a minute of each other, when Lauren Heinsch put one through on an assist from Harrington in the 54th minute, and Caroline Hazen scored in the 55th minute.

Both of those goals put UNI ahead 3-0, and now the Panthers just needed to hold on to this lead to leave Normal with a victory. The goalies kept busy following the two goals by UNI, as both teams put two shots on goal in the span of about two minutes. Neither team was able to put either of their two shots through, and the score would remain 3-0. The rest of the game was quiet, as neither goalie saw any action, and by game’s end, the Panthers left Illinois State with a 3-0 victory, and snapped a four game losing streak. 

UNI also had a match against Missouri State on Sunday, failing to score and falling 2-0. The Bears received goals from Joey Fosnow in the fourth minute, as well as a goal from Iraia Arrue in the 34th minute.

After splitting a pair of matches, the Panthers sit at 4-5-1 on the season, 1-2 in Missouri Valley Conference play. The Panthers will be back in action on Thursday, hitting the road to take on the Evansville Purple Aces. UNI will stay in Indiana, taking on Indiana State in Terre Haute on Sunday.