Oct. 8, 2010
IOWA CITY, IA–The University of Iowa women’s soccer team faced Ohio State Friday night under the lights at the Iowa Soccer Complex. Despite an aggressive effort by the Hawkeyes, Ohio State’s relentless attack left the home team without a win in the conference match, ending the game 3-1.
The Hawkeyes rallied defensively behind a talented back line consisting of senior co-captains Jenna Aleo, Mandy Heimann, junior Rachel Blakesley and sophomore Kat Lewis to hold the Buckeyes without a score in the first 45 minutes of play. Junior goalkeeper Emily Moran played with a focused effort, fending off three pin point Ohio State corner kicks.
Ohio State struck first, finding the net in the 48th minute with a goal from leading scorer Paige Maxwell that skipped by Moran with just inches of clearance.
Junior Morgan Showalter faced an open goal in the 51st minute with a one-on-one breakaway. Showalter fired a long-range shot from nearly 30 yards out, but the ball sailed just left of the post.
The Buckeyes skimmed one by Moran after a long cross pass found Maxwell in the box for the second score of the game.
Heimann was the Hawkeye to take a free kick from just shy of the half line. Heimann sent the ball deep to a perfectly positioned Showalter in the box. Showalter leapt up and executed a header shot into the back right corner of the net for Iowa’s sole goal in the game at the72:08 mark.
Ohio State sealed the game with a final goal in the 81st minute.
“I think we need to extend how we defended in the first half through the entire 90 minutes,” Head Coach Ron Rainey said. “Offensively, we need to attack in the first half like we did in the second. Overall, we played hard against an awesome opponent, and we just need to take what we learned in this game into the game against the next great opponent in Penn State Sunday.”
Iowa’s efforts in the game were spread across the field. Both offensively and defensively the Hawkeyes made precise passes that opened up to good opportunities, but Ohio State’s stingy defense muted any attempts at the net.
Defensively, Rainey’s team successfully fended off eight corner kicks, five in the second half.
The Black and Gold welcome Penn State Sunday afternoon to the Iowa Soccer Complex. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.