UNI soccer wins in penalty kicks against UIC to make MVC semifinals

CHICAGO – The Panthers took it down to the wire but prevailed in penalty kicks over UIC 1-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Tournament.

Four straight scored penalty kicks lifted UNI soccer to victory over the UIC Flames in a nail biter on Sunday afternoon. Despite trailing in shots, corner kicks, and possession time, the Panthers found the back of the goal when it mattered most. With Sunday's win, UNI has won two straight MVC Tournament games for the first time since 2017.

The Panthers had a couple of chances in the first 45 minutes of the game but didn't truly get going until the second half. With only its second corner kick of the game, UNI found the back of the net early in the second. In the 59th minute, defender Allison Whitaker got her head on the corner from forward Ashley Harrington to score for the Panthers.

UNI would hold onto the lead for 20 minutes as UIC pressured the Panthers with three straight shots. The Flames tied the game up in the 82nd minute also on a corner kick. UNI wouldn't get another shot off during regular time as the team headed to its second straight overtime contest.

UIC continued to keep the pressure up on the Panthers through overtime as UNI was only able to get one shot in the first 10 minutes. The Panthers faired better in the second overtime period as forwards Lauren Heinsch and Kennedy Rieken each registered a shot. Neither team would find the back of the net though, sending UNI to its first game to end in penalty kicks since 2018.

The Panthers shot first in a five-round shootout against the Flames. Heinsch began the shootout for UNI, scoring on the right side of the net. Starting goalkeeper Caitlin Richards made a save on UIC's first shootout attempt. Harrington had the second PK for the Panthers, scoring on the right side.

The Flames made their next PK attempt while midfielder Maddie Eastus scored on the left side of the goal. UIC made another goal in the third round of the shootout. Midfielder Lizzie Mewes would be next up in the order and made her PK attempt in the bottom left corner. With four goals made, the Flames had to make their next attempt. The shot went wide left, giving UNI the 1-1 victory into the semifinals.

Northern Iowa only registered eight shots throughout the game, with three landing on goal. Whitaker led the team in shots with three while Heinsch had two. Three other Panthers took a shot each through 110 minutes, (Rieken, Sophia Meier, and Jaylie Hicklin). Richards made 10 saves in the win with a .916 save percentage.

UP NEXT:

UNI moves on to the semifinal round of the MVC tournament in Valparaiso, Ind. The Panthers will face second-seeded Missouri State on Thursday afternoon from Brown Field at 3 p.m.