Oct. 18, 2012
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — Nebraska sophomore Caroline Gray scored a golden goal with 43 seconds remaining in the first period of overtime play, handing Iowa a heartbreaking defeat on a rainy Thursday night at the Iowa Soccer Complex. The Cornhuskers (7-9-1, 4-5-0) defeated the Hawkeyes (11-4-3, 2-4-3), 2-1, in Iowa’s fourth overtime match of the season.
The Hawkeyes overcame a second half deficit with a 55th minute penalty kick goal from senior defender Kat Lewis, but Nebraska pulled through with the game-winner with just moments remaining in overtime. Iowa took 16 shots and earned nine corners in the contest.
“It’s a tough result for us tonight,” said Iowa head coach Ron Rainey. “I felt like our team worked hard. We just have to come up with more winning moments both offensively and defensively in our next Big Ten match.”
Nebraska took a 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute off a corner kick. Junior forward Stacy Bartels won the ball in a scramble situation inside the box, and scored from six yards out.
The Hawkeyes came storming back, answering with a goal after trailing 1-0 for the second straight match. Junior Ashley Catrell drew a foul inside the box in the 55th minute, earning a penalty kick. Lewis took the shot for Iowa, and calmly sent the ball to the top, left corner of the net. Lewis is 3-for-3 on penalty kicks this season.
“Kat’s done a good job on penalty kicks this year, and it was no different for her tonight,” said Rainey. “She’s been able to step up each time in those situations and hammer it home.”
Iowa and Nebraska possessed the ball evenly in the first overtime period until the dying moments, as Gray’s effort provided the Cornhuskers with the winning goal. Gray got the ball to her feet on a breakaway chance, and took a shot from 30 yards out. The ball dipped just under the crossbar, sealing a tough setback for the Hawkeyes.
Freshman Meg Goodson started in goal for Iowa, making two saves in 45 minutes of work. Freshman Hannah Clark made three saves in 55 minutes of play. Sophomore Katie Nasenbenny led Iowa with four shots on offense, including two shots that missed the post by the smallest of margins. Sophomore Cloe Lacasse finished with three shots.
The Hawkeyes return to action on Sunday, facing Northwestern in Evanston, Ill. First touch is set for 1 p.m. (CT) at the Lakeside Field.