The Upper Iowa University women's soccer team secured a 1-0 win in their first NSIC contest of the season against Southwest Minnesota State University. The victory improves the Peacocks to a 3-0 (1-0 NSIC) record on the season for the first time in recorded program history, while the Mustangs fall to 1-2 (0-1 NSIC) on the year.
The first half was devoid of action for the most part as both teams felt each other out and navigated a constant wind blowing toward the UIU goal. The SMSU offense was able to keep the pressure on the UIU half of the pitch for most of the first half, but the Mustangs (3) only had one more shot than the Peacocks (2).
Alex Garcia sliced through the SMSU defense in the 37th minute and took UIU's lone shot on goal before SMSU put their only shot on goal in the 43rd minute before a save by
Natalie Rudrud.
With the wind at their backs in the second half, Upper Iowa looked to turn the momentum around and apply the pressure on their home pitch. SMSU took an off-target shot at the 47:07 mark to open the second half, but the UIU offense took control as
Haley Ramberg put a shot on goal in the 54th minute that had to be saved before
Jordan Zarate took a shot in the 59th minute that sailed wide right. The Peacocks kept the pressure on as they drew a foul in the 64th minute that gave them a free kick on the SMSU half of the field.
Katie Samuels lined up to take the kick and turned it into a beautiful long shot that found the back of the net and put the Peacocks up 1-0. Samuels had another opportunity on a free kick from a similar spot in the 79th minute after an SMSU yellow card but could not double the UIU lead. The Peacocks held firm on the defensive side for the final 10 minutes as they withstood a frantic push from the Mustangs and secured their first NSIC victory of the season in the process.
PEACOCKS OF THE GAME...
- Katie Samuels scored the game's deciding goal in the 64th minute and tallied three shots.
- Leah Willenbring played the full 90 minutes and helped the UIU defense secure their second shutout while also putting a shot on goal.
- Natalie Rudrud saved the only on-target shot that she faced in the shutout.
STATS OF THE GAME...
- The Peacocks earned a 6-2 shot advantage in the second half to finish the game with an 8-5 advantage in shots and a 4-1 advantage in shots on goal.
- UIU stayed composed as they were issued just four fouls compared to 11 from SMSU.
- The Mustangs earned two corner kicks in the first half while the Peacocks took none, but UIU took the only corner of the second period.
UP NEXT... UIU will continue their four-game homestand and conference schedule as they host the University of Sioux Falls on Sunday, Sep. 19 at 12 p.m. on Pattison Field in Fayette, Iowa.
