Huskers Drop Match at #17 Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa - Despite outshooting the Hawkeyes 10-5 in the second half, the Nebraska soccer team opened conference play with a 2-0 loss at #17 Iowa on Thursday night.

The Hawkeyes secured their fifth shutout of the season improving to 5-0-2 (1-0-0 Big Ten), while the Huskers dropped to 3-4-0 (0-1-0 Big Ten) on the year. 

Seniors Sarah Weber and Jordan Zade led the offense in the first half recording three combined shots on goal, but the Huskers were unable to find the back of the net. The Nebraska defense held steady however, tallying three saves, and the teams entered halftime, 0-0.

In the second half, the undefeated Hawkeyes got on the board first with a finish by Sofia Bush in the 65th minute before they added another goal in the 81st minute by Meike Ingles off an assist from Maggie Johnston. 

The Husker offense recorded 10 shots in the second 45 minutes as Weber and Reese Borer tallied two, and Ella Guyott, Florence Belzile, Gwen Lane and Zade added a shot apiece, but the score remained, 2-0, and the Huskers suffered their first conference loss of the season. Weber’s four total shots on the night moved her to 284 for her career, as she is currently fourth all-time in Husker history. 

Overall, the teams were tied with 13 shots each, but Nebraska led in corners (7-3) and Iowa held the advantage in shots on goal (7-6). Cece Villa earned her sixth start in goal playing the entire 90 minutes, along with Haley Peterson, Borer, Emma Prososki, Lauryn Anglim and Weber who also played the complete game.

Up next, NU stays on the road and will travel to Michigan to face the Spartans on Thursday, Sept. 19 and the Wolverines on Sunday, Sept. 22. Action against Michigan State will be aired on BTN, and the match with Michigan will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.