IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa women’s soccer team fell in its Big Ten Conference opener to Wisconsin, 3-1, on Friday night at the Iowa Soccer Complex.
The Hawkeyes produced a strong first half, with sophomore Elle Otto launching a goal in the sixth minute of action off an assist from senior Hailey Rydberg. The Iowa offense was on the attack for much of the first 45 minutes, as Iowa posted seven shots to one for the Badgers.
Things broke Wisconsin’s way after the halftime break. Wisconsin’s Emma Jaskaniec drilled a penalty kick less than a minute into the second period, and Badgers Alyssa Mahrt and Natalie Viggiano each converted by the 50th minute to secure a two-score lead.
The Badgers finished with 11 corner kicks to Iowa’s two, as well as a 5-4 advantage in shots on goal. The Hawkeyes posted 12 shots to nine for Wisconsin, and Iowa goalkeeper Monica Wilhelm tallied two saves in the contest.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH DAVE DIIANNI
“I thought we played really well in the first half. We are limited in terms of subs right now with injured players, so our margin for error is pretty small. I thought we played well in the first half, but there were creeping signs of how they were going to expose us at the end of the first half. We talked about it, and we didn’t make those adjustments. Credit to them that they just continued to do the exact same thing, and we didn’t make that adjustment at halftime. I feel for the team, but the Big Ten requires more than 45 minutes of good soccer, and that’s why the game was three to one.
I think that you have a team that is hurting, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. They care and they are invested. I thought they came with the intent and the motivation to play and compete. You saw some really good soccer in the first half. Unfortunately, we just weren’t able to sustain that, but certainly positive for us to start the way we did.”
HAWKEYE NOTABLES
- 90 TRACKER: Senior Sara Wheaton (6), Rydberg (4), and graduate student Cassidy Formanek each played all 90 minutes of Friday’s contest. Seven Hawkeyes have played the entirety of at least one game this season, including Brooklyn Woods (3), Samantha Cary (3), Josie Durr, and Rielee Fetty.
NEXT UP
The Hawkeyes travel to East Lancing, Michigan, to take on Michigan State on Sept. 22 at DeMartin Soccer Complex. Iowa’s three-game conference road trip continues at Ohio State on Sept. 25 and wraps up at Illinois on Sept. 29.