Aug. 29, 2014
IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa offense exploded for three goals in the second-half to post a 3-0 victory over Fresno State in its home opener Friday night at the Iowa Soccer Complex. The Hawkeyes are 3-0 this season.
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“I was happy with how we played,” said UI head coach Dave DiIanni. “We made some tactical changes at the half. The team listened, and they did what we asked them to do.”
After a scoreless first half, Iowa wasted no time to get on the board in the second. Senior Cloe Lacasse secured a loose ball, shook a Bulldog defender before firing a shot past Fresno State goalkeeper Alyssa Watson. The goal came just 50 seconds into the second-half, giving the Hawkeyes a 1-0 lead.
Lacasse found the net again in the 69th minute after securing a pass from sophomore Natalie Krygier and separating herself from the Bulldog defense. The goal was her fourth in three games this season, pushing her career total 35. She is one goal away from tying for second place in goals all-time.
Freshman Aubree Larson put the nail in the coffin, scoring the first goal of her Hawkeye career from 30-yards out to put the ball over a leaping Watson. Krygier was credited with her second assist of the game.
“Aubree, for a freshman who is playing as much as she is right now, is doing a great job,” said DiIanni. “She’s a competitor, a good athlete, and a smart soccer player.”
Senior Kiley Beck registered four saves to help the Hawkeye defense pick up its third-straight shutout.
The Hawkeyes (3-0) return to the Iowa Soccer Complex on Monday for a Labor Day showdown with Butler at 1 p.m. (CT). Monday’s game is “Dollar Dog Day” featuring $1 hot dogs throughout the contest.
“Butler is a very good program,” said DiIanni. “We’re going to have to play as well as we did today, if not better.”
