PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The fifth-seeded University of Iowa soccer team fell, 2-0, at No. 1 Rutgers on Thursday afternoon in the Big Ten Tournament semifinal round at Yurcak Field. The Hawkeyes entered the game having won five consecutive conference tournament games dating back to last season.
An aggressive Iowa attack in the first half set the stage for an intense battle all afternoon. Both teams headed into the locker room scoreless at the half, and again the Hawkeyes came out firing to gain an early advantage over the Scarlet Knights at the start of the second period.
Rutgers forward Allison Lowry changed the course of the game in the 67th minute, however, with a shot that zipped low across the ground just out of reach of diving Hawkeye goalkeeper Macy Enneking. The Hawkeyes continued to pressure the Scarlet Knights on offense, but Rutgers star Amirah Ali stormed down the field in the 81st minute and drilled a goal to the top right corner of the net to help secure the game late.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH DAVE DIIANNI
“It’s been an honor to coach this team this year. We asked them to compete for 90 minutes, be brave and confident on the ball and leave everything on the field. They did just that. Unfortunately, Rutgers was more dangerous than we were offensively.
“I personally want to thank the senior class for all they’ve done in this program. They’ve been special people, students, and players during their time here. They leave as the most successful class in the history of our program. Two NCCA tournaments, a Big Ten Championship, and three Big Ten Tournament appearances. It is a big class which stayed together and invested in every area in takes to be a successful Hawkeye.
“The adversity this team has been forced to deal with could have broken us, but instead you saw us get stronger.”
HAWKEYE NOTABLES
- The loss marks just Iowa’s second defeat in its last eight postseason games dating back to last season.
- 90 TRACKER: Sara Wheaton (19), Samantha Cary (14), and Riley Whitaker (seven) each played the entirety of Thursday’s match. Fourteen total Hawkeye position players have registered at least 90 minutes in a game so far this season. They include Rielee Fetty (11), Hailey Rydberg (five), Addie Bundy (four), Olivia Hellweg (two), Miah Schueller, Aleisha Ganief, Courtney Powell, and Kenzie Roling. Alyssa Walker, Meike Ingles, and Maggie Johnston.
