IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa women’s soccer team tied Michigan, 1-1, on Sunday in its return home following a three-game conference road stand. Iowa celebrated the 50th anniversary of Title IX during the game against the Wolverines.
Senior Hailey Rydberg got things rolling early, firing a goal in the tenth minute of action after setting herself up for an open look off a Wolverine turnover. The Hawkeyes shutout Michigan until the 86th minute of play.
Iowa defended 18 Michigan shots on the afternoon, including 10 shots on goal for the day. Leading the Hawkeye defense was goalkeeper Monica Wilhelm, who posted eight saves on the contest.
Perhaps the most impressive stretch of the defensive battle came between the 65th and 69th minute, as Wilhelm fielded three Michigan shots on goal, the third of which was a dart to the top of the net which the Hawkeye veteran managed to punch out to earn the save.
Still, with just five minutes to play, Michigan was able to draw a red card inside the penalty area for a chance at a penalty kick. The Wolverines converted, and after one more Hawkeye save from freshman goalkeeper Aubrey Hahn, Iowa picked up its third draw in the last four matches.
Iowa finished the game with 12 shots of its own, including six shots on goal.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH DAVE DIIANNI
“Once again, I am proud of our team. I think we worked hard. You are going to have moments where you are going to have to absorb some pressure, with Michigan, because they are a good team. That certainly occurred in the second half. I told them it is my responsibility to help them understand how to play with the lead. This is the fourth game that we have had the lead and we then lost the lead in the Big Ten. I thought we played well enough to not tie. So that is on me. All things said, I am very happy with our group. Even after the red card, we fought to get a point, and I think that is important character building for our team.”
HAWKEYE NOTABLES
- Rydberg’s score marks her third goal of the season; she now leads Iowa in points (10) and ties for the most Hawkeye goals (3) on the year. Rydberg’s three goals mark a new career high for single-season goals with five regular season games remaining.
- 90 TRACKER: Sara Wheaton (10), Samantha Cary (7) and Cassidy Formanek (5) each played all 90 minutes of Thursday’s game. Seven Hawkeyes have played the entirety of at least one contest this season, including Rydberg (4), Brooklyn Woods (3), Josie Durr (3) and Rielee Fetty (2).
NEXT UP
Iowa faces Minnesota at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium in Minneapolis next Sunday at 1 p.m. (CT).