Women’s Soccer Hosts Northern Iowa

 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University women's soccer (2-6-6, 1-1-4 MVC) returns to action Sunday afternoon against Northern Iowa (10-2-1, 3-2 MVC). Kickoff from E.S. Rose Park is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT. Fans can watch the match on ESPN+ or follow along with live stats at BelmontBruins.com.
 
The Bruins return home for the second-to-last time this season, following their 1-0 road victory against Southern Illinois Thursday night. They prepare for the 10-win Northern Iowa Panthers, who are coming off their loss against Murray State, 4-1.
 
What's Bruin

• Belmont defeated Southern Illinois Sunday night for the first time in program history. It was also Belmont's first MVC victory of the season.
• Anna Sweeney scored her second goal of the season in the 55^th minute of the match against SIU. Kennedy Wise assisted on the play; her first of the season.
• Sarah Doyle leads the MVC with 85 saves and 6.07 saves per game. She recorded her fifth shutout of the season Thursday night. She comes into Sunday's match with 252 career saves and 15 career shutouts.
• The Bruins have allowed only four goals in conference play this season.
• Belmont is undefeated in conference play at E.S. Rose Park (0-0-3).
• Maci Pekmezian earned MVC Player of the Week after scoring both goals for the Bruins last week. It's the first MVC weekly honor for a Bruin this season. The Senior leads the team in goals (4), points (9), and shots (11).
• Pekmezian ranks top-10 in the MVC in goals and points.

Scouting the Panthers

• The Panthers have scored 33 goals this season. Twelve players have scored goals this season.
• Macy Smith leads the squad with six, which is tied for the second most in the conference.
• UNI is ranked 7^th in this week's United Soccer Coaches Midwest Poll.
• The Panthers have yet to win an MVC match on the road this season.
• UNI's goal differential, 33-12, is the best in the conference.
• Goalkeeper Caitlin Richard owns a .773 save percentage with a .88 goals-against average.

Matchup History

• Sunday's match will be the first time these two teams will face each other at E.S. Rose Park.
• UNI defeated Belmont in the first round of the 2022 MVC Tournament in double overtime, 1-0. Their regular season match ended in a scoreless draw on Oct. 22.

Up Next
 
Belmont will travel to the Windy City on Thursday, Oct. 12, to take on UIC. Kickoff from Flames Field is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT. The match will be streamed on ESPN+ with live stats available at BelmontBruins.com.
 
Follow Belmont women's soccer on social media - @BelmontWSoccer on Twitter, @belmontwsoccer on Instagram and @belmontWsoccer on Facebook - for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.