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EAST LANSING, Mich. — The University of Iowa soccer team shut out Michigan State, 3-0, to post its 12th victory of the season Sunday afternoon at the DeMartin Soccer Complex. The Hawkeyes handed the Spartans their first loss in seven home games this season.
The win moves Iowa to 12-2 overall, 4-2 in Big Ten play.
Iowa jumped out to a 1-0 lead, scoring in the 19th minute on a header from senior Hannah Drkulec. Sophomore Riley Whitaker sent in a cross and Drkulec put it away for her fifth goal of the season. The assist was Whitaker’s third of the season, tying for the team lead.
It was Drkulec’s second career game-winning goal.
Senior Emma Tokuyama came off the bench to make the score 2-0 in the 31st minute. The Michigan native put away a shot off a rebound for her second goal of the season. Freshman Gianna Gourley started the fast break and she was credited with the assist — her third of the season.
Iowa put the game away in the second half when senior Devin Burns scored in the 79th minute. Tokuyama sent a corner kick into the box and Burns out-jumped Spartan goalkeeper Lauren Kozal to finish with the header. The strike was Burns’ team-leading sixth goal.
The Hawkeyes allowed just six shots in 90 minutes, and senior Claire Graves made one save en route to the shutout. It was Iowa’s second straight shutout and the team’s seventh of the season.
HEAD COACH DAVE DIIANNI SAYS…
“It’s always hard to win in the Big Ten, especially on the road, so this makes it even more exciting. I liked our mentality to compete and be committed to attacking a dangerous Michigan State team for 90 minutes. There are some areas we need to continue to improve on, to keep growing as a team, but we got a big save from Claire early on to keep us in the game and quality, gritty goals, two of which were on set pieces. Our bench stretched out the minutes today and that was a big factor in the game.”
OF NOTE
– The victory is Graves’ 35th career win, which moves her into a tie for second place on Iowa’s all-time wins list.
– Graves has seven shutouts this season, which tie her career high, and the figure is tied for third all-time in a single season in school history.
– Burns’ strike was her 20th career goal and she now has 52 career points, tying Bri Toelle for sixth all-time.
– All three of Iowa’s goals were scored by seniors.
– Iowa has now scored three or more goals in seven games this season.
– The Hawkeyes improve to 5-1 on the road this season.
– Iowa out shot Michigan State, 20-6, and had seven corner kicks to the Spartans’ one.
– Twenty-two Hawkeyes saw action in today’s contest.
– Iowa has matched its Big Ten win total from the 2018 season — 4-5-2.
NEXT UP
The Hawkeyes return home for two games next weekend, beginning with a Friday night matchup against Rutgers at 7 p.m. (CT) at the Iowa Soccer Complex. Admission is free.
