Box Score Box Score

Despite missing many first half offensive opportunities, the defense stepped up and Upper Iowa held on to a 1-0 victory over Maryville in the second day of action in the 2012 Peacock Classic. The win over the Saints propels UIU to a strong 2-0 season start for the first time since 2010.

It was a fired-up Peacock squad in the first half. Redshirt sophomore Corinne Wronski had two shot opportunities come her way in the first 10 minutes, but UIU could not find the back of the net. Offsides penalties piled up in the first half for the Peacocks and both teams were scoreless at halftime.

The offense went back to work in the second half, and this time they were fortunate enough to score.

In the fiftieth minute, Kelsey Taldone connected on a 22-yard free kick and sent the ball over the defenders’ heads and into the goal. The Peacocks were lucky because coaches Brian Bahl and Ben Jones were yelling for Lauren Rohrmeier to take the kick over Taldone.

“I’m glad it was one of those times when they didn’t listen to us,” Bahl said smiling.

It was the first goal of the year for the 2011 All-NSIC defender.

That slim 1-0 lead nearly disappeared seconds later as the Saints’ Alex Reis seemed to have a wide-open shot, but Peacock goalkeeper Amanda Smith made a nice diving save at the last minute to protect the lead. Smith recorded three saves against the Saints and now have seven this year.

Still up 1-0 and with 25 minutes left, Kali Loescher had three open looks at the goal for a chance to increase the Peacock lead. Loescher, who had the game-winning goal on Friday over Southwest Baptist, made a move to fake out the goalkeeper on her first shot, but missed the goal-post wide left. It was a frustrating day for the offense, but Bahl points out the positives to his team.

“We were still creating a lot of chances,” he said. “We were playing long ball and we were a little too predictable. I told them at halftime to connect with our passes and we moved the ball a lot better.”

The Peacocks will enjoy a week off before starting conference play on the road on Friday night against Winona State. UIU is expecting a close and contested NSIC battle with the Warriors after ending their season last year in the tournament. The match is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.