Aug. 21, 2009
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IOWA CITY, IOWA — The University of Iowa women’s soccer team dropped a heartbreaking, 3-2 decision against the No. 24 ranked Missouri Tigers Friday night in its season opener at the Iowa Soccer Complex. The Hawkeyes held a late 2-1 advantage, but Missouri answered with two goals in the final four minutes to escape Iowa City with the win.
“I thought we played very well for our season opener,” Head Coach Ron Rainey said. “We held a lead against a nationally ranked opponent for the majority of the second half. We just need to do a better job going forward of closing out games. Missouri is a very tough opponent and did a nice job of capitalizing in the late stages of the game. Even with this loss, we can take a lot of positives into practice next week.”
Missouri came out aggressive to start the match, recording two shots on goal in the first nine minutes, but sophomore goalkeeper Emily Moran was equal to the task and recorded consecutive saves.
Iowa turned to its offensive side in the 21st and 22nd minutes when shots by sophomores Sarah Langlas and Morgan Showalter found the target, but Tiger goalkeeper Tasha Dittamore made saves on each.
Missouri struck first in the 23rd minute when Kristin Andrighetto found the back of the net off a shot inside the six-yard box that came after a scramble in front of goal.
Iowa nearly netted its first goal in the 40th minute when junior Keli McLaughlin capped a long run with a pinpoint cross that found sophomore Alyssa Cosnek in front of goal, but her shot sailed just wide of the target.
The Hawkeyes opened their scoring account for the 2009 season in the 44th minute when senior Alex Seydel converted a penalty kick to even the score at one. The penalty kick was awarded after freshman Jade Grimm was tackled inside the box with just under two minutes to play in the first half.
Iowa came out firing in the second half, and took the lead just 1:27 into the second half. Showalter scored on a shot inside the 18-yard box after assists from freshman Dana Dalrymple and Cosnek.
The Hawkeyes maintained possession for the majority of the second half, and Missouri saw its first good scoring chance in the 85th minute. The Tigers managed three-straight corners, and were able to net the equalizer off their last corner. Michelle Collins tapped in the goal off a deflection to knot the score at two.
Mizzou scored the winning goal with just 46 seconds left to seal the win. Missouri’s Kelsey Blincow hit a shot on target from just a few steps over the midfield line, and Moran pushed the shot onto the crossbar. The ball caromed off the woodwork and fell just in front of goal, where Jessie Crabtree tapped in the winning shot.
Showalter led the way for Iowa with one goal and three shots on target. Cosnek added three shots for the Hawkeyes.
Moran played all 90 minutes in goal and tallied five saves.
Iowa’s underclassmen were impressive in the season opener, as five sophomores and two freshmen were named to the starting 11. In addition, two freshmen and one sophomore also came on as substitutes.
Iowa returns to action Friday, Aug. 28 when it hosts Montana at the Iowa Soccer Complex. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.