The Panthers moved to 0-2-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference play on Wednesday with a 3-1 loss to Illinois State who has won their last 17 games. ISU (10-5, 4-0 MVC) outshot UNI (5-7-3) by 25, attempting 30 total shots on the afternoon.
The Redbirds attempted 11 shots in the first half, putting six on goal. ISU forward Rachel Tejada scored the first goal of the match at the 21:29 mark via a Kelli Zickert assist.
The Panthers’ lone goal of the game was credited as an own goal from ISU with just under 10 minutes to go in the half.
UNI goalkeeper Whitney Blunt recorded five of her 11 saves in the first half as the match was knotted 1-1 at the break. Blunt’s 11 saves tied her season-high.
The ISU attack kept pressing in the second half as they attempted 19 shots and put eight of them on goal. Tejada broke the tie in the 63rd minute with her 12th goal of the season, giving her team a 2-1 lead.
The Panthers surrendered the third and final goal with under 10 minutes left.
UNI will look for their first MVC win as they continue their conference play on Sunday against Loyola at 1 p.m. in Waterloo.
