Another year of women’s soccer hits the books as they wrapped up their only postseason game with a 1-0 loss to Loyola. It was a hard-fought season, filled with many ups and downs.

The team finished third in the conference behind Evansville and Illinois State. The Panthers end the season in the top half of the conference in shots and goals. Sarah Brandt finished fifth in shots, and tied for fourth in goals.

Maddie Lesjak was another great surprise at goalie, finishing with 50 total saves, allowing 12 total goals and obtaining a record of 6-4-1. Lesjak took over for senior Whitney Blunt, who started the first seven games, allowing 15 goals, while saving 28 shots and finished with a record of 2-4-1.

There were a lot of positives for the team to hang their hats on. A slow start resulted in a 1-3-1 record after their first five games but then the Panthers kicked it in gear. Over their next seven games, UNI won six of them, outscoring their opponents 17-5.

The team’s obvious downfall would be their lack of success on the road. UNI was 1-6-2 playing away from home, being outscored 4-22.

The team’s most impressive win would be remembered as their road victory against Kansas State. This was team’s only road win, and K-State’s only home loss. The game featured a solid outing by Lesjak, who totaled three saves and allowed one goal. Hannah Mcdevitt scored her second goal of the year, and Mary Brandt scored the other goal, her first of the season.

Arguably the team’s toughest loss of the season took place on Sep. 11 when the Panthers traveled to Charleston to take on the Eastern Illinois Panthers. Eastern Illinois finished the season 5-13, and 4-5 at home. EIU was outscored by a combined 10 goals to 30. Even though UNI struggled on the road, this was a very winnable game.

Lesjak had an outstanding season. As a sophomore she took over for senior Blunt and had a very solid year. Most notably, during a stretch of three games in September, Lesjak notched three shutouts in a row. In fact, the following three games she only allowed one goal total.

With several seniors graduating, the Panthers were needing a leader; enter Brandt.

Brandt solidified herself as the team’s offensive motor. Which is why I believe she is the team’s MVP.

Brant led the team in goals: (6) points, (6) shots, (44) as well as shots on goal (22).

This season has been filled with ups and downs, positives and negatives. This is a team on the rise under coach Christopher Logan.

The Panthers were a very fun team to watch this year, and have made their school proud. Look for continued improvement next year, plan on UNI being on top of that conference in 2017.