Hawkeyes Down Eagles, 1-0, in Season Opener

FORT MYERS, Fla. – University of Iowa women’s soccer opened the season with a, 1-0, victory at Florida Gulf Coast on Thursday night at Pickering Field.

The Hawkeyes emerged from an extended pre-game weather delay with an energetic offensive effort, producing ten shots and five shots on goal in the first 25 minutes action.

The seventh shot connected, a stinger through the bottom of the net by redshirt junior Meike Ingles in her first appearance since the 2021 season. Ingles finished with three shots, including two shots on goal.

The skies cleared, and Ingles’ goal would be the only score of the night, but that was not the end of a hurricane-like Iowa offensive attack. The Hawkeyes put up 25 shots on Thursday, matching last season’s game-high total (Sept. 8 vs. Iowa State, Sept. 11 vs. UNI).

Newcomer Kelli McGroarty led the way with eight shots in 53 minutes of action. Junior Kenzie Roling was next for Iowa with four shots, including two shots on goal.

For its part, the Hawkeye defense allowed just four shots. Goalkeeper Macy Enneking hauled in a pair of saves, preventing two of the Eagles’ best looks of the match.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH DAVE DIIANNI
“This is a tough place to play against a team that knows how to win. I am happy with how we competed all game and really liked the chances our team created in both halves. As a group, our defending was quite sharp except for some transition opportunities. This is a good start to the season for us, handling weather adversity and a difficult opponent on the road.”

HAWKEYE NOTABLES

• Iowa’s 10 shots on goal are the best since its effort against Michigan last season on Oct. 2, 2022.
• The following players made their Hawkeye debuts: freshman Millie Greer (90 minutes), senior Kelli McGroarty (53), freshman Sofia Bush (46), freshman Abby Skiff (36) and sophomore Shae Doherty (28).
• 90 Tracker: Four Hawkeye position players logged 90 minutes of game action, including fifth-year Samantha Cary, senior Rielee Fetty, senior Maggie Johnston and freshman Millie Greer.

UP NEXT
Iowa (1-0) opens the home slate on Sunday vs. Kansas City (1-0) at the University of Iowa Soccer Complex. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. (CT). The game will stream live on B1G+ (subscription required). Admission is free to all home soccer matches.