CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Freshman Meike Ingles’ golden goal in the 93rd minute sent the University of Iowa soccer team to a 2-1 overtime victory over second-seeded Illinois in the opening round of the Big Ten Regional Weekend on Thursday night at Demirjian Park.
Ingles’ strike was the first of her career and it kept the Hawkeyes season alive, as they will square off against Minnesota on Sunday afternoon.
After a giving up a season-high three goals to the Fighting Illini in a week two loss earlier on Feb. 25, the Hawkeye defense held firm in the first half to force a scoreless game at the break.
Iowa started the second half off right as junior Samantha Tawharu sliced through Illini defenders at the top of the penalty box to set up an open feed to redshirt junior Josie Durr. The Solon, Iowa, native sent a bullseye score into the top-right corner of the goal to put the Hawkeyes up 1-0.
Ingles called Game!@HawkeyeSoccer wins and advance with the overtime tally, pic.twitter.com/rPmL0inTKi
— Iowa On BTN (@IowaOnBTN) April 9, 2021
The Illini notched a score of their own in the 52nd minute, forcing a draw at the end of regulation. The first overtime period would mirror the start of the second half, however, as Tawharu found Ingles streaking to the corner of the box in the 93rd minute.
Ingles’ aim was true as she rocketed a goal to the top right corner of the net, sealing the sudden-death victory.
Freshman Macy Enneking made six saves in goal for her third victory of the season.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH DAVE DIIANI…
“This team was embarrassed last time we played Illinois early in the season on the very same field and wanted to give a better impression of who we are, and I think we did that tonight. Winning with a young team in this conference can be very hard, but we’ve stayed the course, committed to getting better every day, and the ladies were re-paid tonight by putting in 90-plus minutes of effort. We weren’t ready to stop this team’s growth, and we look forward to playing a good Minnesota team on Sunday.”
OF NOTE
- Iowa led Illinois in shots (17-15); though the Hawkeyes only produced four shots on goal, they sunk two of them en route to the, 2-1, win.
- Freshman Meike Ingles made her first career start against the Fighting Illini on Feb. 25; her game-winner on Thursday marks the first goal of her collegiate career.
- 90 TRACKER: Six Hawkeye position players played the entirety of the overtime contest. They are: Sara Wheaton (10), Rielee Fetty (8), Samantha Cary (7), Diane Senkowski (6), Meike Ingles, and Josie Durr.
NEXT UP
Iowa advances to the second round of the Big Ten Regional Weekend on Sunday against Minnesota. The Golden Gophers did not play Nebraska on Thursday due to COVID-19 concerns and the game was declared a no contest. The winner of Sunday’s game will qualify for to the Big Ten Tournament.
