IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa soccer team scored a pair of unanswered goals in a 2-1 win against Northwestern on Sunday at the Iowa Soccer Complex. The Hawkeyes opened Big Ten play with a victory to improve to 7-1-1 on the season.
After a defensive battle in the first half, Northwestern’s Ingrid Falls struck first out of the locker room with a transition goal in the 62nd minute off a long pass from Rowan Lappi.
Iowa rallied quickly, as fifth-year senior Courtney Powell sliced through the Wildcat defense for a fast-break score of her own in the 65th minute off an assist by freshman Addie Bundy.
Just one minute later, senior Samantha Tawharu would set up a perfect cross for sophomore Maggie Johnston to launch the go-ahead goal.
Following the flurry of offensive action, the Hawkeye defense held firm to secure the defending Big Ten Champions’ first conference win of the season.
PHOTOS
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH DAVE DIANNI
“I really liked how we played. I thought the game was going to come down to the midfield, and I thought our midfield had a few more moments in the game than theirs, especially in transition. What a tight Big Ten game, it was two really good Big Ten teams playing back and forth.
“It’s massive [to get the first win] in the Big Ten, which is probably the deepest it has been since I have been here. To win at home and to take care of homefield advantage is massive. To start off on a high point, getting three points, and going on the road against Indiana and Purdue, we need to kind of accumulate wins as we go on so this was a great start for us.”
HAWKEYE NOTABLES
- Goalkeeper Monica Wilhelm notched a season-high seven saves, including a clutch corner save in the 87th minute to preserve the victory.
- Powell tallied her second score on the year, while Johnston found the net for the first time this season; nine Hawkeyes have combined for 17 goals this fall.
- The Hawkeyes are undefeated in their last 28 games when scoring two goals or more; since the start of the 2018 season, Iowa has a record of 26-0-1 when scoring two goals or more.
- 90 TRACKER: Sara Wheaton (eight), Samantha Cary (five), and Olivia Hellweg (two) played the entirety of Sunday’s game. Eight total Hawkeye position players have registered at least 90 minutes in a game so far this season. They include Rielee Fetty (six), Addie Bundy (two), and Kenzie Roling.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes travel to Bloomington, Indiana on Sept. 23 for a 7 p.m. (CT) battle with the Hoosiers at Bill Armstrong Stadium.
HIGHLIGHTS
