Primer: Iowa State at UNI

Who: Iowa State (2-1-2, 0-0 Big 12) at UNI (3-2-1, 0-0 MVC)

Where: UNI Soccer Field (1,000) – Cedar Falls, Iowa

When: September 11 – 4 p.m.

Kicking Off
Iowa State will look to finish its non-conference slate on a high, as it travels to Cedar Falls to take on the third and final Iowa-based school on the schedule - UNI. The Cyclones will look to win their second-straight over the Panthers after beating UNI by a score of 6-1 in Ames last season and take a winning record into Big 12 action.

ISU downed North Dakota 4-0 last time out, recording four or more goals in a contest for just the third time since 2013 as four different Cyclones scored. The win over UND was the team's first home win of the season.

UNI, in the midst of a season-long four-game homestand, looks to earn its third-straight win against Iowa State. The Panthers have earned back-to-back shutouts in their last two outings, holding a plus-seven goal differential over that span.

From the Notebook

Ten Cyclones have registered points so far in 2025. ISU has now had at least ten point scorers in each of the last three seasons.
The Cyclones scored multiple goals in their season opener for the third straight season, notching two.
Iowa State started the season with a streak of three straight results - it is the program's longest since 2022. The Cyclones earned a result for the third consecutive season in both their season opener and road opener this season.
The Cyclones had a flair for the dramatic early in the season, scoring both a game-winning and game-tying goal in the last minute and thirty seconds of two contests (Creighton & Drake). It's just the second time in program history that an ISU season has had multiple goals in the final minute thirty (2005).
Against Drake, Lucy Froitzheim netted an equalizer with 30 seconds left on the clock. Her goal is the latest game-tying score in program history and tied for seventh-latest regulation score by a Cyclone.
ISU earned its 200th program win over Creighton on Aug. 21, downing the Bluejays 1-nil. Isabella Agrusso scored the game-winning goal in the 89th minute - the latest Cyclone goal since Courtney Powell scored with 50 seconds left against Kansas in a 1-1 draw back in March of 2020. Her game-winner, with 88:41 on the clock, was the eighth-latest game-winning goal (in regulation) in program history.
Iowa State earned six draws (four in conference play) last season, setting a school record for most in a single season.

Leading the Cyclones
Iowa State boasts a balanced offense through five contests, as five Cyclones are tied for the team lead in points with three. Isabella Agrusso and Regan John each have a goal, an assist and a game-winner through five contests.

Joining Agrusso and John with three points are Sophie Forrester, Lauren Hernandez and Taylor Spitzer – all of whom have a goal and an assist. ISU's Ella Zimmerman is the only field player to not yet leave the field, as she has played all 450 minutes to date. Morgan Goodman leads the team in shots with nine.

Between the pipes, Kasey Cannistraro has been solid through five outings, notching 22 saves. Cannistraro recorded her first career clean sheet and win against Creighton and tallied a personal best nine saves at No. 11 Iowa. She combined to record a shutout with transfer Musuai Isaia against North Dakota.

Overall, the Cyclones have eight goals this season and have allowed four scores. The team has 56 total shots, averaging 11.2 per contest, and places 50% of them on goal.

Opponent Outlook
Led by interim head coach Alex Place Thomas, UNI has produced a steady offense through the first six contests. Macy Smith leads the team with three goals and has a pair of game-winners to her name. Smith's six total points are tied for the most on the team, as Denise Camarena has a pair of goals and assists to total six points of her own.

Olivia Knoepfle leads the Panthers with three assists, while Sydney Burskey rounds out a trio of Panthers with multiple goals, as she has two. A staple of the Panther backline, Allison Flies has played all but ten minutes for UNI this season.

Kennedy Bunternach has started all six games for the Panthers and has one solo shutout and a pair of combined clean sheets. Bunterbach has tallied 18 saves, holds an 81.8 save percentage and has faced 52 shots. Thordis Melsted has also seen time in net but has just five saves in her three appearances.

Overall, UNI has 12 goals this season and has allowed just six scores. The team has 109 total shots, averaging 18.2 per contest, and places 46% of them on goal.

Series History
Historically, Iowa State has dominated the series against UNI, holding a 12-1-1 all-time record. The Panthers, however, have found success recently, as the record is even between the two over the last three at 1-1-1.

Up Next
Iowa State will be back in action next Thursday, Sept. 18, when it returns to the Cyclone Soccer Complex to take on Arizona in the Big 12 opener. Next Thursday's contest is set to begin at 6 pm and will be streamed live on ESPN+.

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Players Mentioned

Isabella Agrusso

Kasey Cannistraro

Sophie Forrester

Lucy Froitzheim

Morgan Goodman

Lauren Hernandez

Musuai Isaia

Regan John

Taylor Spitzer

Ella Zimmerman

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Iowa State University Athletics