FAYETTE, Iowa - Upper Iowa women's soccer (0-0-1) started the 2025 season with a 0-0 draw against Minnesota Crookston. The Peacocks did not allow the Golden Eagles to take a single shot in the contest in head coach Patrick Ritter's first game with Upper Iowa.
"I think we came out pretty well and controlled a big portion of the game," Ritter said. "We got a lot of shots, and we have to continue to work on finishing those shots. Starting the year with a shutout and a draw is a good result."
After only recording two shots in the first half, the Peacocks picked it up in the second half with 10 shots on goal. Junior forward Haylie Hutchinson led Upper Iowa with three shots on goal.
In the first half, Natalie Lima took the first shot of the game in the 23rd minute, which was saved by Crookston goalkeeper Payton King. Lima had the only other shot of the half off to the left in the 30th minute.
UIU's best offensive barrage of the game came between the 58th minute and the 63rd minute. Hutchinson had two shots, while Jessica Ancheta, Maile Kehano and Meghan Zwicker each tallied one shot.
The Peacocks had three more opportunities at the goal with shots by Hutchinson, Kehano and Haylee Allen. Hutchinson's and Kehano's shots were saved by King.
Freshman Sienna Johnson got the start at goalie for the Peacocks. She did not record a save as the Golden Eagles were shutout on shots in the game.
"Sometimes you prefer it when your goalkeeper doesn't touch the ball in goal because it means your defense did an excellent job," Ritter said.
Junior defender Stephany Castillo, sophomore midfielder Myriah Roybal and Lima led the team in minutes playing the full 90. Roybal added a shot on goal as well.
This is the second straight season the Peacocks have opened with a draw. Upper Iowa tied Winona State 2-2 in last season's opener. Upper Iowa now leads the series since 2011 against Minnesota Crookston with a 7-4-2 record.
The Peacocks will now hit the road and head to Chicago, Illinois, for an away match against Roosevelt (Ill.) (0-1). The Lakers fell, 3-2, to Lewis (Ill.) on Thursday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 7th.
