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South Bend, Ind. — The University of Iowa soccer team scored three first-half goals en route to a 3-2 victory over Notre Dame on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Stadium. The Hawkeyes finish nonconference play with an 8-0 record.
The Hawkeyes fell behind early, as the Fighting Irish got an early goal from Luisa Delgado to take a 1-0 lead. Iowa bounced back quickly, scoring twice in a span of 34 seconds to grab a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.
Senior Hannah Drkulec scored Iowa’s first goal in the 16th minute following an assist from senior Natalie Winters to tie the game at one. Shortly after, sophomore Josie Durr put the Hawkeyes ahead following an assist from senior Devin Burns.
Drkulec kept the run going in the 25th minute, scoring Iowa’s third straight goal. Sophomore Riley Whitaker assisted Drkulec’s fourth goal of the season.
The Irish’s second goal came in the 32nd minute off a penalty kick by Sammi Fisher. Iowa went into halftime with a 3-2 lead and the score remained the same throughout the final 45 minutes.
DIIANNI SAYS…
“This game had all the momentum swings, talent, and competitiveness. We thought it would be a challenge against a special Notre Dame team. I am proud of how we responded as a team to bounce back from going down early and then take a 3-1 lead nine minutes later.
“We spoke at halftime about the pressure Notre Dame would impose on us in the second half. We are a better team offensively than what we showed in the second half, but in fairness, much of that had to do with them and how they pushed for the tie.
“This team loves to play for each other and are elated with the win, but we understand there is still 2/3 of the season remaining and we have more growth to do in the Big Ten.”
OF NOTE
– The win is Iowa’s eighth victory, matching the team’s win total for the entire 2018 season. It was also the Hawkeyes’ third road victory, tripling last season’s output.
– Senior Claire Graves made five saves to pass Gabe Mauren for fourth on the all-time saves list.
– The Hawkeyes’ 8-0 start is the best start for the program since 2013.
– Senior Isabella Blackman, Drkulec, sophomore Sara Wheaton, and Whitaker all played the full 90 minutes.
– Iowa is 2-0 this season against ACC foes, including last week’s road win at No. 14 NC State.
– The victory was the first in three all-time meetings against Notre Dame.
NEXT UP
The Hawkeyes will open Big Ten Conference play Friday, traveling to Bloomington, Indiana, to face the Hoosiers at 2 p.m. (CT). The road trip continues Sunday at Purdue at noon (CT) in West Lafayette.
