The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) soccer team, with a record of 1-8-1 and 1-1-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC), will travel to Normal, Illinois, to take on the Illinois State Redbirds, who have a record of 7-1-3 and 2-0-0 in MVC play. The match is scheduled for Sunday, October 4, 2026, at 1 p.m. CT at Adelaide Street Field.
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UNI's soccer team is coming off its first win of the season, securing a 1-0 victory over Belmont last Sunday. Ella Ubben scored the decisive goal in the 34th minute, and goalkeeper Hailey Luedtke made a career-high ten saves, earning MVC Goalkeeper of the Week honors. Ubben and Morgan Smith recorded one shot on goal each, while Ubben and Shaelee Franck each had two shot attempts in the match.
Currently, Luedtke leads the MVC with a total of 52 saves and an average of 6.5 saves per match.
This match will be the 30th encounter between UNI and Illinois State, with the Redbirds leading the all-time series 19-9-1. Illinois State won the previous meeting in 2025 with a score of 1-0 at the UNI Soccer Field. Their last match at Adelaide Street Field in 2024 ended in a 1-1 draw. UNI's most recent victory over Illinois State was an 8-1 win in 2023.
Illinois State recently won 2-0 against UIC, with Sosi Dadekian scoring the first goal from a penalty kick and Ava Watson adding another goal in the 54th minute. Watson leads the Redbirds this season with nine points and four goals. Rylaan Law, Rowann Law, and Maggie Dowling each have contributed two goals. In goal, Madi Valenti has recorded 36 saves while allowing seven goals.
Fans can follow UNI women's soccer throughout the season on social media platforms, including Facebook (UNI Panther Soccer), X (@UNI_Soccer), and Instagram (@unipanthersoccer). Additional information, including the schedule and roster, is available at UNIpanthers.com.