Nov. 1, 2009
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The University of Iowa soccer team’s second half rally wasn’t enough as the Hawkeyes fell Sunday to Michigan State at the Iowa Soccer complex, 3-2.
“Today’s game was just another tough result for us against a tough opponent,” Head Coach Ron Rainey said. “We need to have hard work, dedication and a great week of practice for our last game next week. We have a good opportunity against an awesome opponent, and we just need to be ready for it.”
Michigan State may have scored two goals in the first half, but it wasn’t easy for the Spartans. Iowa goalkeeper Emily Moran was on her toes when Michigan State’s Lauren Hill took one into the box. Hill fired a hard shot at the goal, but Moran made the diving save. Moran made another save from the ground and an Iowa defender blocked the third shot in 12 seconds to escape the shuffle around the net.
Alyscha Mottershead sent one towards the net in the 21st minute from the left side, but the ball was just wide of the goal.
Olivia Stander found the target in the 23rd minute when her shot from the hard left angle caught a little wind and drifted into the top right corner of the net.
The Spartans stuck again in the 42nd minute. A long pass from Kelsey Tait found Hill just outside of the six-yard box. Hill’s chip shot was just over Moran’s reach for MSU’s second score.
Following the half time break, the Hawkeyes came out with fire in their step. Junior Keli McLaughlin took aim at the 47:18 mark, but Spartan goalkeeper Jill Flietstra made the stop. Morgan Showalter found the pass out and sent it back to McLaughlin who netted her ninth goal of the season at 47:44.
Alex Seydel launched a corner kick into the box where Jackie Kaeding nearly missed the goal with a header shot in the 60th minute.
In the 80th minute, Michigan State was guilty of fouling an Iowa player inside the box. Seydel stepped up for Iowa and converted her fourth penalty kick of the season for the equalizer.
Iowa forced the extra period, but Cara Freeman headed one in for the win in the 94th minute.
Moran made eight saves to bring her season total to 156 and boost her to fourth place on the career individual saves list. Seydel and McLaughlin both had two shots, two on goal and one score for the Hawkeyes.
The Hawkeyes travel to West Lafayette, IN to face No. 22 Purdue in the final game of the 2009 season. Game time is set for 12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7.