The UNI women’s soccer team went on the road to Evansville, Ind. on Thursday, Sept. 29 to face the Evansville Purple Aces. UNI came into the game at 4-5-1, having lost their previous game to Missouri State 2-0. Evansville came into the game 1-5-3. They started the season with a win in their third game, but had lost four in a row before tying in the previous game. With six Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) games left for each team, both were looking to gain some momentum to move up the standings before the end of the season.

Both teams played evenly in the first half, as UNI got three shots and Evansville got four. However, it was UNI that converted first. In the 16th minute, Lizzie Mewes scored her first goal of the season to put UNI up 1-0. Both teams remained scoreless the rest of the half, leaving UNI up 1-0.

Evansville controlled the early part of the second half, gaining six shots and five corner kicks in the next 22 minutes. They finally converted in the 69th minute with a goal by Hailey Autenrieb, assisted by Monique Landrum and Nicole Benati. This tied the game at 1-1. The Panthers responded quickly, getting two shots on goal. Lauren Heinsch finally converted a penalty kick in the 77th minute to put UNI back on top 2-1. With the game winding down, Evansville went on the attack. UNI was on defense for nearly all of the rest of the game, only getting one more shot. Evansville put up four shots and a corner kick, but had not scored by the 88th minute. It looked like UNI would survive to win, but finally, with less than three minutes to go, Emily Ormson scored for Evansville on an assist from Rachel Rosborough to tie the game at 2-2. The Panthers were unable to score again, so the game ended in a tie at 2-2.

UNI had nine shots, including six on goal. Evansville had 16 shots, including 12 on goal. UNI had four corner kicks to Evansville’s 10. UNI had ten saves, and goalkeeper Caitlin Richards had nine of those. Evansville had four saves. UNI was led in shots by Heinsch, who had five. Heinsch and Caroline Hazen each had two shots on goal to lead the Panthers.

UNI played on Sunday, Oct. 2, against Indiana State in Terre Haute, Ind. UNI returns home to Cedar Falls to play on Thursday, Oct. 6, against the Drake Bulldogs.