Sept. 23, 2010
IOWA CITY, IA–The University of Iowa women’s soccer team opened the Big Ten season in Iowa City Thursday night. The Hawkeyes battled the No. 18 Minnesota Golden Gophers and Mother Nature as she brought high winds and cold rain to the match. The two teams competed for 110 minutes to end the game with a 1-1 draw in double overtime.
The nationally Minnesota was the first to take aim at the net with a header shot in the second minute. The shot floated high, but the Gophers came back firing at Iowa goalkeeper Emily Moran in the 15th minute. Moran made the save and sent the ball towards midfield.
Clearing the ball was difficult for Iowa with the harsh winds blowing into the Iowa goal, but the Hawkeyes kept the ball on the ground and pushed up field to earn a corner kick opportunity. Junior Morgan Showalter sent the ball into the box where Dana Dalrymple tried to capitalize on the lofty pass, but her shot skimmed the outer edge of the left post.
Shari Eckstrom scored the first goal of the game for Minnesota in the 32nd minute. Eckstrom received a pass and scored from approximately 15 yards out with high shot.
It was Showalter again in the 70th minute with a corner kick that found freshman Alex Melin in the box. Melin elevated at the far post and placed header across the face of the goal, beating Golden Gopher keeper Cat Parkhill for the equalizer.
Neither team could find the go-ahead goal before the end of regulation. Iowa’s defense withstood an aggressive Minnesota attack during the two 10 minute extra time periods. The Hawkeyes held on for the draw to earn their first point in Big Ten play this season.
“I was very proud of our team’s efforts tonight,” Head Coach Ron Rainey said. “I thought we did a great job of competing the entire game against a very good, nationally ranked, Minnesota team in our conference opener.”
Fans can catch a replay of Iowa’s Big Ten opener on the Big Ten Network Friday at 1:00 p.m.
The Hawkeyes return to action Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. Iowa welcomes St. Louis University for to the Iowa Soccer Complex for the final non-conference game of the season. Fans are encouraged to Be Bold Wear Gold to support the women’s soccer team. The Iowa women’s soccer team will also be signing autographs following the game.