The UNI women’s soccer team traveled to the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) last Thursday, Oct. 13, where they tied for the fifth straight match with a score of 0-0. This accounted for the team’s sixth tie of the season and their second scoreless tie. Their record now sits at 4-5-6.

The first period started off quickly with two shots on goal by UIC within the first minute of the match, both of which were saved by goalkeeper Caitlin Richards. The third shot on goal came from UIC’s Frankie Frericks in the third minute and was again blocked by Richards. UNI’s first and only shot on goal of the first period came in the 43rd minute off the foot of forward, Kennedy Rieken but was kept from scoring by UIC goalkeeper Lauren Keiser.

The second period saw more shots on goal, as UIC started the offense with two in the 49th and 50th minutes from Makena Shaw and Kaitlyn Montague. Once again Richards saved both shots from scoring. The 72nd minute brought another UIC shot on goal which brought another save by Richards. Caroline Hazen had the lone shot on goal for UNI in the second period coming in the 74th minute. Her shot was saved from scoring by Keiser. UIC’s Brielle Gomez finished the match with the final two shots on goal coming in the 83rd and 86th minutes. Richards recorded her last two saves of the match on these two shots as well.

UNI’s offense did not have a huge showing in this match. Instead, the defense, especially by Richards, who totaled eight saves, carried a lot of the weight. As a team the Panthers totalled four shots in the match with two being on goal and none scoring. UIC recorded 14 total shots with eight being on goal and none scoring as well.

The UNI soccer team will close out their regular season with a two match home stand near the end of next week. The Panthers face Murray State this Thursday, Oct. 20 at 3 p.m. and will finish their regular season the following Sunday, Oct. 23 at 12 p.m. against the Belmont Bruins. These games can be viewed on ESPN+ and ESPN3, respectively. Following this, the team will begin play in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament on Thursday, Oct. 27.