IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa women’s soccer fell to Northwestern, 2-1, on Thursday night at the Iowa Soccer Complex.

The Hawkeyes trailed early following a Northwestern header in the 18^th minute off a set piece.

Iowa recovered, piling on nine first-half shots, one of which connected in the 33^rd minute off the foot of senior captain Maggie Johnston. Setting up at the top of the box, Johnston launched a rocket up and over the Wildcat goalkeeper to even the score before halftime. Junior Elle Otto earned an assist on the play.

In the 64^th minute, Northwestern’s Ella Hase drilled another header sent by teammate Meg Boade.

That score would prove to be the game-winner, as Iowa dropped its third loss this season despite a 13-8 advantage in shots and an 8-6 edge in shots on goal.

Hawkeye goalkeeper Macy Enneking finished with four saves.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH DAVE DIIANNI

“We are having a hard time defending as a group right now. There are a few discipline issues. We are missing some tackles. Instead of moving our feet, we decide to go to the ground. This game was built in transition. We knew it would be won in transition.

I thought we played really well for long periods of time, and it was just not enough to get a positive result against a good team that was much better than their record. Northwestern’s Meg Boade is a really good player.

We need to come back together tomorrow and decide that we are going to play a bit more collectively as a team. This group is wonderful to be with. That is probably what makes everyone so disappointed when we lose. It is a good group of kids. They work really hard. We are just learning some tough lessons right now, and it has cost us at times in the back end of the season.”

HAWKEYE NOTABLES

• 90 Tracker: Fifth-year Samantha Cary (11), freshman Millie Greer (11) and freshman Eva Pattison (2) each played the full 90 minutes for Iowa on the back line. The following position players have also recorded at least one 90-minute outing this season: senior Rielee Fetty (4), senior Maggie Johnston (4), freshman Sofia Bush, junior Kenzie Roling and sophomore Kellen Fife.

 UP NEXT

Iowa (8-3-3) hosts Maryland (3-7-5) on Oct. 15 at noon (CT) for the home finale.