Upper Iowa women's soccer team (1-2-1) lost in their Northern Sun Conference opener to the No. 20 Winona State Warriors 2-0 on Monday afternoon at Pattison Field. The Warriors scored both goals in the second half to earn the victory.
The Peacocks escaped the first half without surrendering a goal despite Winona State having great opportunities, including a a penalty kick and a free kick from right outside the box. UIU was outshot 11-5 in the opening 45 minutes, but went to the halftime break tied 0-0.
In the second half, however, Upper Iowa was not as fortunate. Winona State scored less than two minutes into the second stanza when a rebound popped out to a Warrior player inside the box and she found the back of the net. About 20 minutes later, WSU made it 2-0 when they scored on a header from another free kick.
Following the second goal, the Peacocks responded with tenacity and had several chances that just missed. With 17 minutes left in the game, a string of UIU passes turned into a
Madie Edwards one-on-one situation with the Winona State goalkeeper, but the Warrior keeper made a diving save. A few minutes later,
Maggie Olson slipped behind the WSU defense and had an opportunity to get Upper Iowa on the board, but came up empty.
"I was proud of the effort of the team after we conceded the second goal," said head coach
Brian Diaz. "We created enough chances to tie the game and maybe even go ahead. Their keeper came up with a few key saves, we were unlucky on a few bounces in there, but credit to our players for grinding it out for the final 25 minutes."
"Like every week, win, lose or draw, you try to learn lessons from the game, build on what you did well and clean up the things you didn't do so well," said Diaz. "Whether we won this game 2-0 or got the result that we did, that process stays the same of continuing to know and grow, and making sure we are better the next time out."
The Peacocks continue conference play at home this weekend when UIU hosts Augustana on Saturday, Sept. 19 and Wayne State on Sunday, Sept. 20.
