CEDAR FALLS — UNI Panther soccer battled back from an early deficit Thursday afternoon, but St. Thomas broke a second-half deadlock and escaped Cedar Falls with a 2-1 victory in Northern Iowa’s final non-conference match of the season.
The Panthers generated plenty of opportunities at the UNI Soccer Field, including a season-high nine corner kicks, but the Tommies ultimately held a 17-12 advantage in shots.
Ella Ubben scored Northern Iowa’s lone goal, converting a penalty kick late in the first half for her first goal of the season.
The loss came four days after UNI suffered another narrow 2-1 defeat at Western Illinois.
Tommies strike first
Northern Iowa created pressure early, earning six corner kicks and putting three first-half shots on goal.
St. Thomas broke through in the 21st minute.
Izzy McEwan converted a penalty kick to give the Tommies a 1-0 advantage.
The Panthers continued attacking and eventually drew a penalty of their own when Keira Bogott was fouled late in the half.
Ubben stepped to the spot in the 43rd minute and buried the penalty kick, sending the teams into halftime tied 1-1.
The goal was Ubben’s first of the season and second of her collegiate career.
St. Thomas breaks deadlock
Neither side could find the net during the opening 25 minutes of the second half.
That changed in the 71st minute when Alexis Larson scored off a pass from Ana Oenning to put St. Thomas back in front, 2-1.
Northern Iowa mounted a late offensive push but could not produce another equalizer.
Allison Flies led the Panthers with four shot attempts.
Abi Roberts finished with three attempts, including two on goal, while Kailey O’Brien and Ubben each put one attempt on target.
Freshman goalkeeper Hailey Luedtke made three saves for Northern Iowa.
Luedtke has been one of UNI’s busiest performers this season, including a 10-save performance in a narrow 1-0 loss to Omaha earlier this season.
Ubben adds another offensive breakthrough
Ubben’s penalty kick continued her emergence as one of Northern Iowa’s leading offensive contributors.
She now leads the Panthers with three points this season on one goal and one assist.
Her first career goal came against Viterbo in 2025.
Thursday’s penalty was also just the 23rd successful penalty kick in UNI program history and the Panthers’ first since Lauren Heinsch converted one during a 3-1 victory over Murray State in 2024.
Ubben joins Roberts and Ella McGinnis as Northern Iowa’s three goal scorers this season.
Roberts scored UNI’s first goal of the season in a 1-1 draw against St. Ambrose, while McGinnis found the net late in the Panthers’ loss at Western Illinois.
Conference play up next
Northern Iowa now turns its attention to Missouri Valley Conference competition.
The Panthers have more than a week before returning to action Sunday, September 20, when they travel to Terre Haute to face Indiana State.
Kickoff is scheduled for noon at Memorial Stadium.
The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.