A Milestone Match in Cedar Falls
The University of Northern Iowa’s women’s soccer squad will welcome the Omaha Mavericks to the UNI Soccer Field on Thursday, August 20, 2026, kicking off at 4 p.m. Central Time. The contest marks the ninth meeting in a series that has seen the Mavericks hold a slight edge, but the Panthers are eager to flip the script on their 4‑3‑3 rivalry record.
Adding a splash of color to the occasion, UNI will debut lavender‑trimmed kits for the game, which doubles as the program’s annual Cancer Awareness match. The design pays tribute to survivors and underscores the team’s commitment to community outreach.
The matchup also serves as the centerpiece of UNI’s season‑opening homestand, coming off a 4‑0 defeat to Milwaukee that left goalkeeper Poppy Anderson with six saves but no goals to show for it. Coach hopes the new look and home‑field advantage will spark a turnaround.
Omaha arrives having dropped a 1‑0 decision to Iowa State in their own opener on August 13, yet they bring back five pivotal contributors, including Kendall Dobberstein, who tallied 14 points and four goals last season, and Charley Kort, who added three goals and ten points. Their experience could prove decisive.
Fans will be admitted free of charge, with parking directed to designated lots surrounding the stadium. The event will be streamed across UNI’s social platforms — Facebook’s UNI Panther Soccer, X @UNI_Soccer, and Instagram @unipanthersoccer — to extend the reach beyond the Cedar Falls campus.