The University of Northern Iowa women's soccer team will host three contests this week including two conference foes. The Panthers will host Illinois State on Tues., Oct. 2 at 7:00 p.m. UNI will host Cal State University, Bakersfield on Fri., Oct. 5 at 7:00 p.m. The Panthers will wrap up the weekend hosting Indiana State on Sun., Oct. 9 at 12:00 p.m. All matches will be played at the Cedar Valley Youth Soccer Complex.
Scouting the Opposition
The Illinois State Redbirds (6-5-0, 1-1-0 MVC) opened the season with multiple goals in seven of its first eight matches but have managed to score just two goals in their last three matches. The Redbirds have recorded 55 shots in its last two games. Just 20 of those shots have been on goal and only two have ended up in the back of the net. Illinois State is outshooting their opponents, 73-23, in that three game span. Freshman Aryn Newsom allowed just one goal and made four saves against Missouri State, but suffered the loss after Illinois State was shutout, 1-0, in Springfield, Mo. Newsom has 34 saves on the season and a goals against average of 1.42. Freshman Rachel Tejada leads Illinois State with 12 goals and 28 points, but has not recorded a point in her last three games. The Redbirds are led by fifth year head coach Drew Roff.
The California State University Bakersfield Roadrunners (2-8-1) are led by Freshman Emily Noethe and Senior Kassi Massey with three goals apiece. Senior Jessica Fogeltanz and Junior Sam Pena have added two goals apiece for the Roadrunners. Senior goalkeeper Kym Gause has tallied 63 saves on the season to post a goals against average of 2.11. The Roadrunners are led by first year head coach Melissa Phillips.
The Indiana State Sycamores (3-10-0, 0-2-0 MVC) are led by Freshman Natalie Vaught with eight points this season, currently sitting in sixth place on ISU's freshman single-season scoring list. Eight different players have netted goals for ISU this season in their 13 matches, the most total goal-scorers for ISU since 13 players hit the back of the net in 2008. Indiana State closes out the road-heavy stretch of their 2011 schedule this Sunday at UNI. Of ISU's previous nine matches dating back to Sept. 4, eight have been played away from Terre Haute. The Sycamores are led by third year head coach Erika True.
Panthers Working Efficiently
UNI has been outshot by opponents 151-78 this season, but hold the advantage in shot percentage 1.28 to the opponents 1.06. UNI has outshot their opponents 5-4 in overtime periods. The Panthers also hold the advantage in corner kicks 42-41.
Sharing the Ball
Five different Panthers have found the back of the net in 2011. The goals have come off of assists from five different players. Eight Panthers have tallied at least one point this season with junior Ashley Capone leading the way with 10 points.
Home Field Advantage
The 2010 squad posted a 2-6-1 home record. This season the Panthers have started out 2-2-1 at home. This year UNI has given up an average of 1.0 goal per match at the Cedar Valley Soccer Complex. Last season the squad gave up an average of 2.11 goals per match.
Making Improvements
UNI has scored 10 goals through 10 games this season. Last season through ten games the Panthers managed eight goals and 14 for the season. The UNI defense has also limited opposing teams' scoring chances, giving up 17 goals this season through 10 games. At this point last season they had already given up 26.
