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LINCOLN, Neb. — The University of Iowa soccer team earned its first road win of the season as it topped Big Ten-leading and 22ndranked Nebraska, 2-1, at Barbara Hibner Soccer Stadium on Friday afternoon.
The win moves the Hawkeyes to 6-6-2 overall and 2-4-1 in Big Ten Play. It is Iowa’s first win over a ranked foe this season and the highest ranked team the Hawkeyes have defeated since 2013 — a 1-0 win over 20th-ranked Penn State.
It was all Iowa off the first whistle as they attacked early and kept possession in their final third for the early part of the first half. The Hawkeyes took the early lead when redshirt junior Kaleigh Haus found the back of the net for her third goal of the season off an assist from freshman Skylar Alward.
Junior goalkeeper Claire Graves went untested for most of the first half as Nebraska was held without a shot till the 40th minute.
Iowa added an insurance goal three minutes into the second half. After a steal at midfield, junior Natalie Winters dribbled in for a shot on goal and Nebraska’s goalkeeper couldn’t corral the shot. Junior Devin Burns took the rebound off the deflection and deposited it into the back of the net, giving the Hawkeyes a 2-0 advantage.
The Huskers challenged Graves in the second half, as she stopped shots in the 72nd and 74th minute. Nebraska’s Elyse Huber cut the Hawkeyes’ lead in half with a goal in the 76th minute.
The Cornhuskers had a chance at the equalizer in the 84th minute, but a save from Graves’ fourth save secured the Hawkeye victory.
OF NOTE
- This win is Iowa’s first all-time against Nebraska. The Hawkeyes tied the Huskers last season and are 1-10-1 all-time in the series.
- Iowa’s last victory over a ranked foe came last season when the Hawkeyes shutout Rutgers, 1-0, on Oct. 5, 2017, at the Iowa Soccer Complex.
- Iowa put three of its six shots on goal.
- Burns scored her first goal of the season in the win. It was her seventh career game-winning strike.
- Graves made four saves in 90 minutes of action to tally her fifth victory of the season.
- Seven Hawkeyes — Claire Graves, Natalie Winters, Morgan Kemerling, Riley Whitaker, Isabella Blackman, Sara Wheaton, and Hannah Drkulec — played the full 90 minutes.
QUOTING HEAD COACH DAVE DIIANNI
“I’m proud of our team in how they responded to playing against a top-25 team on the road. We’ve talked about needing to be more mentally and physically present for the entire game and tonight was that moment. I loved how we attacked the game in the first half, but more importantly, we didn’t wilt after missing some good chances to go up 3-0 and Nebraska got on the board with a set piece goal. It was important to this team to get the first Iowa win in history of this series.”
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes return home Oct. 12, hosting Michigan State at 7 p.m. (CT) and Michigan on Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. at the Iowa Soccer Complex. Admission is free.
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Stay up-to-date on the latest University of Iowa women’s soccer team through social media. Follow the Hawkeyes on Twitter (@HawkeyeSoccer), Instagram/HawkeyeSoccer, and Facebook/HawkeyeSoccer.
