University of Northern Iowa
Iowa
UNI Loses Opener in Double OT
8/22/2014 1:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
WATERLOO, Iowa - On a warm night at the Cedar Valley Soccer Complex, the University of Northern Iowa women's soccer team battled hard against in-state rival Iowa.
After 105 minutes, the final score was finally decided as Iowa freshman, Katharine Woodruf, finally put one past UNI sophomore keeper Whitney Blunt. Coming off of a deflection in the box, Woodruf put a kick into the upper left hand corner of the goal just past the outstretched hand of Blunt.
Iowa outshot UNI the whole night, however, Blunt tallied nine saves including six in the second half. None may have been more crucial than in the final two minutes of the second half as Blunt came out in a one on one break away with an Iowa forward. Blunt made a terrific diving save to her right to deflect the ball just past the post of the UNI goal, and thus allowing the game to continue into overtime.
UNI saw solid play from a multitude of players the whole night; such as senior midfielder Caitlyn Fuller and freshman Allison Bitter, who was given the starting nod and played all 105 minutes.
UNI's best scoring chances occurred with 13 minutes left in the second half and four minutes into the opening overtime period.
With 13 minutes left at the end of the second half, Fuller received a cross right into the goalie box and put a shot on goal that was just barely deflected off of the leg of an Iowa defender.
After the second half ended, the Panthers came out attacking hard right out of the gate. After spending some time with possession of the ball on the Iowa half of the field, junior Maggie Riley received an open pass at the top of the 18 yard box and sent a shot that just skimmed over the cross bar of the Iowa goal.
UNI will look to re-group and look forward to its next game on Tuesday Aug. 26th against St. Ambrose. Kick off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Cedar Valley Soccer Complex.
