BETTENDORF, Iowa — The University of Iowa soccer team fell to Northwestern, 2-0, on Monday afternoon at the TBK Bank Sports Complex.
The Hawkeyes overcame a 7-0 shot differential in the first half to maintain a scoreless game at halftime. Northwestern scored two goals in the second half, however, with each team taking an even six shots each.
The Wildcats’ Olivia Stone scored the game-winner in the 52nd minute and Northwestern added a second goal in the 64th minute on a Regan Steigleder off a free kick just outside the box.
The game likely marked Iowa’s final “home” contest away from Iowa City this season, as the team will return to the Iowa Soccer Complex next Sunday, March 14 to host Minnesota if field conditions permit it.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH DAVE DILANNI
“I do think we’re a team that’s getting better. It’s hard because results are what show it and not only to the team, but to the public. We are in a result driven business, and I believe we’re getting better in a lot of areas, but we have not been able to solve some things. Obviously, you can look at the statistics, we haven’t scored a goal in five games, now. So, for that, you know, we need to be creating chances, opening it up, and sustaining possessions on top of the box.
“One of the areas where we’re struggling, and it has led to our four losses, has been in defending transition when we lose the ball and getting numbers behind the ball. A lot of that is mentality and effort. So, I liked a lot about how we played today. The problem is we are inconsistent as a group, and we’re losing in many areas that cost you games.”
OF NOTE
– Iowa had held opponents scoreless for 223 consecutive minutes until Stone scored in the 52nd minute. That included pitching an overtime-shutout against Michigan and two scoreless halves across the Northwestern and Indiana games.
– 90 TRACKER: Junior Sara Wheaton played 90 minutes on Monday. She is the only Hawkeye position player to have played the entirety of every game this season (five).
NEXT UP
Iowa hosts Minnesota on Sunday at the Iowa Soccer Complex in Iowa City, Iowa. Game time is set for 1 p.m. (CT).