Hawkeyes Control Cyclones in Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series Opener

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa women’s soccer team improved to 3-0 on the season with a, 2-1, victory over Iowa State on Thursday night at the University of Iowa Soccer Complex. With the rivalry win, the Hawkeyes score the first two points in the 2023-24 Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series.

A goal from junior Kenzie Roling in the 34^th minute gave Iowa the lead heading into halftime. Sophomore Shae Doherty hit Roling in transition to set up the score against a two-on-one look from the Cyclone defense.

Three minutes into the second half, junior Elle Otto widened the gap with her second goal of the season. Coming on another transition look, Otto’s first shot was blocked by sliding Cyclone goalkeeper Avery Gillahan; Otto was there for the rebound and sailed the ball through an open net.

Iowa once again kept up the offensive pressure, outshooting its opponent for the third-straight contest, with a 19-7 advantage in shots over the Cyclones. Each team finished with five shots on goal.

Iowa State didn’t quit. Oliva Edwards found Lauren Hernandez off a free kick set piece to convert a score in the 82^nd minute of play to make the score 2-1. The goal proved to be too-little-too-late, in part thanks to a lunging save by senior Macy Enneking earlier in the period off a dangerous look in the box from Iowa State’s Alex Campana in the 54^th minute. Enneking finished with four saves on Thursday.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH DAVE DIIANNI
“I have coached in enough of these to know that you can have a good plan, but tactics sometimes go out the window. It is about who competes and wins the small moments within the game. I thought we did a little bit of both, to be honest. I thought we, tactically, were prepared. I think our kids ran the gameplan to perfection, to be honest. I felt we created enough chances.

I was disappointed at the end that we let the game get a little bit loose. That is going to happen when momentum lulls, but that is a little bit naïve. We had some young players on the field, and we have to do a little better job of managing momentum. One small miss turns into a snowball effect, but our kids held on, battled and did enough to get the win, which we deserved.

Elle [Otto] has been just a godsend. Her work ethic is extreme. She has gotten better as a soccer player. Initially, she was just a back-to-goal player, and now she is turning, slipping players, looking to hunt her shot. I am really proud. She missed a chance in the first half with a great move and touch in the box. She, Kenzie [Roling], Delaney [Holtey] and Kelli [McGroarty] helped us do a great job up top and created some good chances.

This was a team win, I thought. Everybody who came off the bench played well and played a role to help us get this win… We take it really seriously, starting the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series and being the first sport out. Last year was a bit disappointing, so we are really happy for the fans and the Hawkeyes. Now we pass that baton on to everybody else who goes after us.”

HAWKEYE NOTABLES

• Iowa Soccer improves to 15-8-2 against Iowa State in the all-time series.
• Fútbol Forecast: Since 2013, the winner of the Iowa vs. Iowa State women’s soccer match has correlated to the winner of the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series football game in eight of nine seasons (the outlier was in 2018).
• 2 for the Money: The Hawkeyes are undefeated in their last 39 games when scoring two goals or more. Since the start of the 2018 season, Iowa has a record of 36-0-3 when scoring two goals or more. That includes a 2-0-0 record this season, 4-0-2 record in 2022, 9-0 in 2021, 2-0 in 2020, 13-0-1 in 2019 and 5-0 in 2018. The Hawkeyes won their final two games in 2017 when scoring two-plus goals. The last time Iowa lost a game while netting at least two goals was Oct. 1, 2017, at Michigan State (L, 3-2).
• 90 Tracker: Senior Samantha Cary (3) and freshman Millie Greer (2) each logged 90 minutes on the Hawkeye back line. Other Hawkeyes to play the entirety of at least one match this season are seniors Rielee Fetty and Maggie Johnston.

UP NEXT
Iowa (3-0) travels to Starkville, Mississippi, on Aug. 31 for a showdown with Mississippi State (2-0-1) at the Mississippi State Soccer Field. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. (CT). The Hawkeyes host Senior Day the following Sunday, Sept. 3, starting at 1 p.m. vs. SEMO (1-1-1) at the University of Iowa Soccer Complex.