Sept. 20, 2015
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan’s Lulu Haidar scored on a header in the 89th minute to send the Wolverines to a 1-0 victory over the University of Iowa soccer team Sunday afternoon at U-M Soccer Stadium.
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“We aren’t into morale victories in our program and it was a gut wrenching way to lose with a minute left in regulation. However, we are very proud of players right now,” said head coach Dave DiIanni. “We designed a tactical plan to give us the best opportunity to win this game against a very strong Michigan team and the girls stayed committed to it for 90 minutes.”
After playing to a scoreless tie in the first half, the Wolverines came out with a vengeance early in the second half, firing six shots at Iowa goalkeeper Hannah Clark in the first 10 minutes. The Hawkeye defense held off the Wolverines for more than 88 minutes of play.
With 1:19 left in the game, Haidar managed to head the ball into the net off a cross from teammate Christina Murillo. The Wolverines finished with a 27-3 advantage in shots for the game with eight being on goal. Sixteen of the 27 attempts came over the final 45 minutes.
Senior Brooke Backes had an opportunity to put the Hawkeyes on the board at the 80-minute mark, firing a shot on goal, but Michigan goalkeeper Sarah Jackson was able to make the save.
Clark suffered the tough luck loss. She tallied a season-high seven saves in the loss.
“We’ve been asking them to commit themselves to competing for one another for longer period of time and we did that today,” said DiIanni. “This is a tough loss against an extremely talented Michigan team, but we need to use this as a moment of growth for our young team.”
The Hawkeyes (6-3-0, 0-2-0) return home to host a pair of Big Ten matches next weekend, beginning with a Sept. 25 contest against Ohio State. The match will feature postgame fireworks at the Iowa Soccer Complex.
