Iowa Downs USC on Senior Day

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa women’s soccer team defeated Southern California, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon at the Iowa Soccer Complex.

The Hawkeyes improved to 9-4-5 overall and 4-3-4 in the Big Ten, while USC fell to 2-9-6 overall and 1-6-4 in conference play.

“It was a tough Sunday game, there was a lot of frustration from our side with the amount of times we got caught offsides,” said Iowa head coach Dean Ward. “But we got two wins this weekend against two good teams. We’ll take it and move on to the next one to try and get into the Big Ten Tournament.”

Fourth-year Reilly Heman recorded her third four-point game of the season with a goal and two assists, while Sofia Bush and Elle Wildman each added a goal.

Iowa opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Heman found the back of the net off an assist from Abby Skiff. The Hawkeyes carried a 1-0 advantage into halftime despite being outshot, 9-3, and trailing 4-0 in corner kicks.

The Hawkeyes extended their lead shortly after the break. In the 51st minute, Heman assisted Bush, who scored her second goal of the season to put Iowa ahead, 2-0.

USC cut the deficit in half in the 71st minute when forward Peyton Nakagawara scored an unassisted goal.

The Trojans threatened to close the gap further, but Iowa responded in the 82nd minute to restore its two-goal advantage. Heman recorded her second assist of the afternoon, setting up Wildman to extend the Hawkeye lead. Iowa maintained the advantage through the final whistle to secure the 3-1 victory.

After being outshot, 9-3, in the first half, Iowa held a 10-6 advantage in shots over the final 45 minutes. The Hawkeyes finished with 13 shots, including eight on goal, while the Trojans recorded 15 shots, with six on target. Goalkeeper Braelynn Galt made five saves, all in the first half, as Iowa limited USC to just one shot on goal in the second half.

OF NOTE:

• The match marked Iowa’s first-ever win over USC.
• Heman extended her team lead in goals to nine and recorded two assists to bring her season total to 20 points.
• Heman’s nine goals are the most by a Hawkeye in a single season since 2021.
• Heman has recorded three four-point performances in 2026, marking the first time a Hawkeye has accomplished the feat since 2014.
• Bush scored her second goal of the season.
• Skiff recorded her third assist of the season, setting a career high.
• Iba Oching and Millie Greer played all 90 minutes.

Iowa celebrated Senior Day before its match against USC, honoring Sara Batchadji, Lucia Englund, Heman, Bush, Greer and Skiff. The seniors accounted for seven of Iowa’s nine points in the match.

UP NEXT
Iowa (9-4-5, 4-3-4 B1G) will welcome Wisconsin (10-4-3, 6-3-2 B1G) for its regular-season finale on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Iowa Soccer Complex. The match will stream live on B1G+. Admission is free.