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IOWA CITY, Iowa — Senior Bri Toelle’s goal in the 82nd minute lifted the University of Iowa soccer team to a 3-2 victory over Wyoming on Sunday afternoon at the Iowa Soccer Complex. It was the team’s third straight win, moving its record to 3-1-0.
“I liked how we played, we knew Wyoming would be a good team,” said UI head coach Dave DiIanni. “I liked how we played in the first half even though we were tied. With the long two-hour delay you never know what you’re going to get, but I liked how we came out.”
The Hawkeyes trailed 2-1 in the 74th minute after redshirt freshman Kaleigh Haus was whistled for a hand ball in the box. Wyoming’s Katie Marcheso scored on the penalty kick — her second strike of the game.
Iowa wasted little time fighting back, scoring the equalizer three minutes later. Freshman Devin Burns was fouled on a breakaway in the box, setting up a penalty kick. Freshman Natalie Winters drilled the shot into the left corner to tie the game at two. It was Winters’ first career goal.
The Hawkeyes’ kept their offensive pressure high and it resulted in the game-winner at the 81:11 mark. Toelle received pass from Devin Burns and Karly Stuenkel before firing a goal passed Wyoming’s Georgia Roundtree to give Iowa a 3-2 lead.
“My first goal was a breakaway, but I wouldn’t have been able to do it without Devin, she picked her head up and sent me a nice through ball,” said Toelle. “On my second goal I found a nice little pass from Karly (Stuenkel) and finished it with my right foot.”
Iowa grabbed the early lead, scoring in the game’s 10th minute. Devin Burns found Toelle streaking for a breakaway, giving the Hawkeyes a 1-0 lead. It was Toelle’s first goal of the season.
Wyoming scored the game-tying goal in the 36th minute when Marcheso fired a one-timer into the upper right corner of the net. It closed a half in which Iowa controlled the action, where six of the team’s eight shots were on goal.
At the conclusion of the first 45 minutes, weather moved into Iowa City and the game was halted for nearly two hours because of lightning.
Freshman Claire Graves made three saves in goal to record her third victory of the season.
The Hawkeyes return to action Friday, hosting Colorado State at 7 p.m. (CT) at the Iowa Soccer Complex. Admission is free.
“I like how we’re developing, I like our team and depth,” said DiIanni. “We need to get better in the attack, but this game was certainly a character win for our kids and I am excited about that.”
