CHICAGO, Illinois — UNI soccer generated more shots and more chances on target Sunday, October 25, but UIC made its opportunities count, handing the Panthers a 3-1 Missouri Valley Conference loss at Flames Field.
Freshman Audrey Still scored her first collegiate goal on a penalty kick in the 77th minute, providing Northern Iowa’s lone breakthrough after the Flames had built a three-goal lead.
The Panthers finished with a 16-12 advantage in shots and a 7-5 edge in shots on goal. UIC converted three of its five attempts on target to win its third consecutive meeting with UNI.
Flames build lead as Panthers search for breakthrough
Allison Flies gave UNI an early opportunity with a shot on target in the eighth minute, but UIC struck first. Rebecca Ruggiero scored with her right foot in the 21st minute to put the Flames ahead 1-0.
Ella Ubben produced two attempts as the Panthers searched for an equalizer. Instead, UIC doubled its advantage in the 35th minute when Jennifer Rodriguez lifted the ball over UNI goalkeeper Hailey Luedtke.
Northern Iowa continued pressing after halftime. Still put a shot on net in the 48th minute, and Kacy Kuehl followed with another in the 51st, but UIC goalkeeper Sidney Lazenby stopped both.
Kylie Knief and Alli Saviano also tested Lazenby later in the half without finding a way through.
Riley Cunningham extended the Flames’ lead to 3-0 in the 76th minute. One minute later, a UIC foul in the penalty area gave Still her opportunity from the spot, and she converted to get UNI on the scoreboard.
Still reaches milestone as tournament chase continues
Still and Ubben led the Panthers with four shots apiece, while Still had a team-high two shots on goal. Luedtke finished with two saves.
Still became the fifth Panther to score this season, joining Ubben, Kailey O’Brien, Abi Roberts and Ella McGinnis. Ubben has two goals, while the other four have one each.
Jenna Scholz made her first UNI start after starting three matches for Alabama State last season. Freshman Keira Bogott also made her first collegiate start.
Despite the loss, UNI remained in contention for the six-team MVC Tournament. The Panthers stood ninth with five points, ahead of UIC, and UNI’s postgame release said all 10 conference teams remained mathematically alive. Northern Iowa could finish fourth through sixth if it earns a tournament berth.
The result followed UNI’s scoreless draw with Murray State, which earned the Panthers a point in the MVC tournament chase.
Luedtke continues to lead the conference with 75 saves and an average of 5.7 saves per match. UNI’s all-time record against UIC dropped to 2-3-3.
Panthers head to Southern Illinois
UNI will travel to Carbondale, Illinois, on Sunday, November 1, to face league-leading Southern Illinois in its final road match of the regular season.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Central at the Lew Hartzog Track & Field Complex, with coverage on ESPN+.