Nov. 6, 2008
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IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa soccer team was defeated by top-seeded Penn State, 2-1, in opening round action of the 2008 Big Ten Tournament. The Hawkeyes, who were the No. 8 seed in the tournament, finish the season with a 9-11-1 record. Penn State moves on to the semifinal round Friday and has a 14-7-0 mark.
The Hawkeyes were facing a 2-0 deficit late in the match before freshman Alyssa Cosnek netted her ninth goal of the season in the 77th minute. Junior Alexandria Seydel played a ball into the 18-yard box that was flicked near the goal by senior Stephanie Hyink. Cosnek then headed home the ball to the far post.
Iowa put on a late offensive fury, with three chances in the final 13 minutes. The best opportunity came in the 89th minute when an Iowa free kick inside Penn State’s half fell to the far post, and freshman Suzy Levett tapped the ball inches wide of the post.
Iowa nearly netted the first goal of the contest on a breakaway in the sixth minute, but sophomore Keli McLaughlin’s shot sailed just wide of the post. Freshman goalkeeper Emily Moran kept the match scoreless with a nice save off a scramble inside the six-yard box in the 16th minute.
Penn State took a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute when Jessie Davis volleyed in a shot off a deflection following a corner. The goal was Davis’ first goal of the season.
The Nittany Lions took a two-goal lead after Danielle Toney scored her eighth goal of the season in the 58th minute.
Cosnek led the Hawkeyes with two shots, both of which were on target. McLaughlin also had two shots on the night. Moran played all 90 minutes between the posts and tallied three saves.
Toney had two shots on goal and four total. Alyssa Naeher managed two saves.
This is the second season in a row that Iowa has qualified for the Big Ten Tournament under Head Coach Ron Rainey.