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Women's Soccer
Soccer Wraps Up Spring SeasonMay 19, 2009
Due to a freak snow storm, the first weekend of spring soccer had to be postponed, meaning that the All Iowa Challenge, hosted by Iowa State on April 4, was the Panthers first opportunity to play this spring. UNI took on Missouri Valley Conference foe Drake to start that day in Ames. Both teams started nervously with possession switching regularly and few chances created. The Panther defense looked strong and in little danger, and the midfield started to stamp their authority on the game. Laura Heaton scored the only goal of the game with a shot from outside the box that squeezed past the Drake goalkeeper and gave UNI a 1-0 lead going into halftime. In the second half, neither team capitalized on their chances on goal, and the score ended with a 1-0 Panthers win. The Panthers then turned around to take on Iowa later in the afternoon. Iowa, who had previously battled Iowa State to a 0-0 draw, came out looking to creates chances and score goals. Again the Panther defense looked solid and the teams headed into halftime with the score deadlocked at zero. Iowa came out after the break to score a quick goal and take a 1-0 lead. UNI changed formation and found themselves with a couple of chances at the goal in the closing minutes. However, Iowa held on for the 1-0 win. “We saw a lot of positives for this young team,” first-year UNI head coach James Price said. “This has a set a standard that will be a good foundation for future performances.”
The Panthers then headed to Upper Iowa on April 16 to take on the Peacocks. UNI had chances early, with two shots bouncing off the crossbar, but were unable to convert and headed into the halftime break with the score tied at zero. With Upper Iowa occasionally threatening the UNI goal in the second half, and the Panthers also creating chances, it seemed only a matter of time before someone broke the deadlock. However, some good defending from both teams kept the game scoreless and it finished with a 0-0 draw. Three days later, the Panthers took on Western Illinois, playing the game in Eldridge, Iowa. Torrential rain throughout the game resulted in plenty of excitement for both teams. UNI opened the game with numerous chances at the goal. However, the WIU goalkeeper held her ground and the Panthers were unable to break through, going into halftime with neither team recording a goal. In the second half, WIU challenged Panther goalkeeper Lauren Potzman, but the MVC Freshman of the Year held her ground and halted the Westerwinds’ attempts at a goal. The Panthers found themselves with a couple late chances at the goal, but couldn’t find the back of the net and had to settle for another 0-0 tie. In the last weekend of the 2009 spring season, the Panthers took on NAIA power Graceland University at the Cedar Valley Youth Soccer Complex. With a team full of international players, Graceland got off to a quick start with a couple of well-worked goals. After halftime, UNI continued to push forward and had a few long range efforts but Graceland counter-attacked with speed and added a third goal to go up 3-0. The Panther offense created chances at the goal, but strong defensive play by Graceland kept UNI off the scoreboard the Panthers fell 3-0. The Panthers open their 2009 regular season Aug. 21 against South Dakota State.
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