The University of Northern Iowa women's soccer team looks to get its season back on track this weekend as they return home to face the North Dakota State Bison on Friday night at the Cedar Valley Soccer Complex. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. UNI then hits the road to battle South Dakota State in Brookings, S.D. on Sunday afternoon. That tilt is set to start at 1:00 p.m.

Scouting the Opponents

The North Dakota State Bison are 3-4 on the season with triumphs over Eastern Washington, Bemidji State, and in-state rival North Dakota. The Bison feature a trio of offensive threats with Anisha Kinnarath (three goals), and Holly Christian and Lizzie Lukas (two goals apiece) leading the way. NDSU has had two keepers split time with Sierra Bonham tallying most of the minutes with 43 saves credited to her name while posting a .827 save percentage and one shutout. The Bison are coached by first-year head coach Mark Cook.

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits are 1-4-1 on the year with their lone victory coming over UWGB. Darci Miller leads the offensive attack for the Jackrabbits with two goals on the season. Elisa Stamatakis has logged over 500 minutes in goal for SDSU this season turning away 28 shots for a .667 save percentage and two shutouts. The Jackrabbits are coached by Lang Wedemeyer who is entering his 12th year at the helm of SDSU.

Of the nine Panther goals scored so far this season, six different players have found the back of the net. Sophomore Charlotte Jones has tallied three goals, sophomore Caitlyn Fuller has scored twice, while seniors Ashley Capone, and Melissa Hagan, junior Allie Brees, and freshman Maddie Welch each have a score credited to their names. Seven Panthers have an assist to their name: seniors Melissa Hagan and Ashley Capone, junior Claire Clark, and sophomores Katherine Young, Shauna Happel, Madisen Garman, and Charlotte Jones.

The Panthers had a plethora of opportunities to score over the past week. UNI amassed 40 shots with 15 coming on goal but had little to show for it. The Panthers found the back of the net just once in three contests.

UNI has played five of their past six matches away from home. The Panthers have posted a mark of just 2-4 on the road this season while playing just two contests at home. The next six games feature four home tilts including three in a row at home. The 2011 squad posted a 6-3-1 mark at the Cedar Valley Soccer Complex.

UNI currently holds the advantage in corner kicks over their opponents, 42-31. The Panthers have held the advantage in corner kicks in six of nine contests this season.