LINCOLN, Nebraska – University of Iowa women’s soccer fell to Nebraska, 4-2, on Saturday. Iowa moves to 8-2-3 overall this season and 2-2-2 in Big Ten Conference play.

The Huskers scored two goals in the opening eight minutes of the match and went up 3-0 in the 33^rd minute. Iowa responded, narrowing the deficit to one goal heading into halftime, but allowed an early second-half score which ultimately stymied the comeback.

Offensive potency is nothing new for the Cornhuskers, who entered the contest with the Big Ten’s best scoring offense. Eleanor Dale, who notched the first and fourth goals for Nebraska, leads the country with 19 goals this season.

The result was uncharacteristic for the Hawkeyes, however, who entered the contest with just three goals allowed through 12 contests for the nation’s second-best goals against average (0.25). Iowa was previously undefeated in its last 43 games (40-0-3) when scoring two or more goals in a match.

Iowa’s first goal came immediately on the heels of Nebraska’s third score. The Hawkeyes marched down the field, with junior Elle Otto whizzing a dart to the top-right corner to narrow the margin in the 33^rd minute. Otto now leads Iowa with four goals this season. The score came on assists from sophomore Shae Doherty and seventh-year Josie Durr.

With just one minute remaining in the second half, redshirt junior Zoë Bessert drilled a penalty kick to bring the lead down to one score. The goal was a career first, as was the shot.

An Eleanor Dale header in 53^rd minute would be the final goal of the game, however, coming on a corner kick opportunity.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH DAVE DIIANNI

“I liked a lot about how our team played today, especially after getting behind 2-0 in the first 10 minutes, but we learned a tough lesson. Details matter in all areas of the game, and when you don’t focus on them, really good teams like Nebraska have the ability to make you pay.

The game was very even in almost every category but there were areas of the game that weren’t sharp enough to control the outcome. We are a good team who had bad moments at times today. We are resilient and will learn from this.”

HAWKEYE NOTABLES

• The defeat snaps a two-game Iowa win streak against Nebraska dating back to the 2021 season.
• Otto leads Iowa with four goals this season and is second on the team with nine points.
• Bessert’s goal came on the only shot of her collegiate career, to date.
• Seven saves is a season-high for goalkeeper Macy Enneking.
• 2 for the Money: The last time Iowa lost a game while netting at least two goals was Oct. 1, 2017, at Michigan State (L, 3-2). The Hawkeyes entered the contest undefeated their last 43 games when scoring two goals or more. Dating back to the 2017 season, Iowa now has a record of 40-1-3 when scoring two goals or more. That includes a 5-1-0 record this season, 4-0-2 in 2022, 9-0 in 2021, 2-0 in 2020, 13-0-1 in 2019 and 5-0 in 2018. The Hawkeyes won their final two games in 2017 when scoring two-plus goals.
• 90 Tracker: Fifth-year Samantha Cary (10), freshman Millie Greer (10) and freshman Sofia Bush played the entirety of the match against Rutgers. The following position players have also recorded at least one 90-minute outing this season: senior Rielee Fetty (4), senior Maggie Johnston (4), junior Kenzie Roling, sophomore Kellen Fife and freshman Eva Pattison.

UP NEXT

The Hawkeyes return home to host Northwestern at 7 p.m. (CT) on Oct. 12. That game will be televised on BTN. Iowa hosts Maryland on Oct. 15 at Noon (CT) for the home finale.