Oct. 23, 2011
IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa women’s soccer team dominated Northwestern on Senior Day at the Iowa Soccer Complex Sunday, earning the conference victory with a 6-1 decision. Behind the efforts of several Hawkeyes, the team was able to bid farewell to the seniors in record-setting fashion.
Iowa improves to 12-4-2 on the season, 4-4-2 in Big Ten play, with the home field win, marking the first time the team has reached 12 wins since 1999. The win is the seventh of the season earned at the Iowa Soccer Complex, tying the most home wins in a season set in 2008.
The game started slowly with short possessions by both teams until the 36th minute when senior Morgan Showalter placed a corner kick inside the box. Freshman Anne Marie Thomas got a header attempt off, but it was blocked by a Northwestern defender. Junior Jade Grimm was there for the rebound and finish, giving Iowa its first goal of the game.
The Wildcats weren’t going to be tamed that easy, though, netting the equalizer just six minutes later. Kate Allen fired a shot from nearly 30-yards out in the 42nd minute. Senior goalkeeper Emily Moran couldn’t get her hands on it and the game was knotted at one.
As the seconds ticked down before the half time break, junior Dana Dalrymple collected a pass from Grimm on the right side then worked her way around a defender and found the net from five yards out. Dalrymple earned the game-winning goal with just 15 seconds remaining on the clock in the first half.
After the whistle sounded to start the second 45-minute period, Iowa’s attack struck quickly and often, scoring four goals in 19 minutes. Freshman Cloe Lacasse had back-to-back goals in the 53rd and 60th minutes. The first came on a 16-yard shot from the right side, while the second was a shorter shot on the left. With the pair of goals, Lacasse’s count for the season reaches 12, earning her a second place spot on Iowa’s goals in a single season list.
Following her teammate’s lead, sophomore Leah DeMoss netted consecutive goals 10 minutes apart. DeMoss’s first goal of the game, sixth of the season, was unassisted as she beat the defense in one-on-one near the left corner of the 18-yard box. The second was a chip shot in after classmate Gabby Ainsworth sent a cross into the box.
“Sometimes on Senior Day there are emotions, but no energy,” head coach Ron Rainey said. “Today, we had emotions and energy and it allowed us to keep pressing and pressing. We made a couple mistakes because of the pressure; however we did way more things positively. It allowed us to get some great finishes. Today was the best job all year of finishing and doing things differently in the box. We were real composed in the 18 and I hope that carries through in practice and into the game next week at Wisconsin.”
Iowa’s seniors played a large role in the win Sunday, Showalter and Alyssa Cosnek each tallied assists while Moran made five saves on the day. Rachel Blakesley, Sarah Langlas and Gabby Tinner all played valuable minutes on defense for the Hawkeyes.
Next up for the Hawkeyes is a battle in Madison, Wis. Iowa and Wisconsin will face off on Saturday Oct. 29 at 1 p.m.