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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa soccer team scored two first-half goals and added two more in the second in a dominating 4-0 victory over Northern Colorado on Friday night at the Iowa Soccer Complex. The Hawkeyes move to 7-0 this season heading into Sunday’s game at Notre Dame.
Iowa took advantage early, scoring in the seventh minute on a strike from sophomore Sara Wheaton. The defender fired a shot off the post and she cleaned up her own rebound for an easy goal past UNC goalkeeper Taylor Washington, giving the Hawkeyes a 1-0 lead. It was Wheaton’s first career goal.
In the 20th minute, senior Devin Burns increased the lead to 2-0 with a left-footed strike past Washington. The Bear goalkeeper misplayed a shot from sophomore Riley Whitaker and Burns were there for the rebound to net her fourth goal of the season and 18th of her career.
The Hawkeyes put the game away with two goals in the second half. Senior Kaleigh Haus scored off a rebounded attempt off the foot of sophomore Josie Durr to make the score 3-0. It was Haus’ third strike of the season.
The final goal came off the left foot of freshman Samantha Cary. Following an Iowa corner kick, freshman Melina Hegelheimer gained control and provided a touch to Cary, who sent an arching shot from 65 yards out over an extended Washington, giving the Hawkeyes a 4-0 advantage.
Senior Claire Graves posted her third straight shutout, but faced only two Northern Colorado shots in the game. None were on goal.
QUOTING HEAD COACH DAVE DIIANNI
“Getting to 7-0 was important for this group. We were very efficient in the final 1/3 and I really like 20 shots, six corners, 12 on frame. It was a good performance for our kids.
“Anytime you can get a defender to score some goals, they put in so much time defending and they never get up in the set pieces. We’re getting goals from different areas of the field.”
QUOTING SARA WHEATON…
“I was very excited. That was my first goal and my parents were (in town) this weekend (from Arizona) and that was cool. My dad always tells me to score and this is my first one, so it was cool for them to be here.
“I was talking to Kaleigh after the game and we both thought the first one was going in. She almost touched it, but I was there luckily and got the easy rebound.”
QUOTING SAMANTHA CARY
“The main thing we focus on in corner kicks is we don’t want to get countered on. That’s my position back there, and Mel (Hegelheimer) sent me a great prep touch and I was able to knock it on frame. I am not a big goal scorer, if you couldn’t tell by the celebration.”
OF NOTE
– Cary and Wheaton scored their first career goals. They are the fourth and fifth Hawkeyes to net their first goals this season.
– Iowa displayed its depth in the game as 25 Hawkeyes saw action.
– Graves is two saves away from passing Gabe Mauren for fourth on the all-time saves list.
– With the four-goal output, Iowa has 22 goals in seven contests. The Hawkeyes scored 20 goals in 18 games a season ago.
– Iowa has scored three or more goals in four of seven games this season.
– Iowa has posted three straight shutouts for the first three-game stretch since 2013.
– The Hawkeyes’ 7-0 start is the best for the program since 2013.
– Iowa dominated the action, outshooting UNC, 20-2, and holding a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks.
NEXT UP
The Hawkeyes travel to South Bend, Indiana, on Sunday to face Notre Dame at Alumni Stadium. The game is set to begin at noon (CT) and be streamed on ACC Network Extra.
