In a weekend that was crucial to the Hawkeyes’ chances of getting into the Big Ten Tournament, they responded.
The first game of the weekend, a 2-1 victory over Ohio State on Oct. 24 was a good start.
Senior Cloe Lacasse got things started for the Hawks in the fourth minute, netting her 10th goal of the season on an assist from sophomore Corey Burns.
Lacasse’s goal was the only score for either team in the first half, though the Black and Gold enjoyed an advantage in shots (6-1) and corners (4-0) through the first 45 minutes of play.
Both teams played solid defense through much of the first half, with Iowa picking up its second goal of the game in the 79th minute on a shot from the top of the box by senior Melanie Pickert, her seventh of the season.
Ohio State got a goal late in the 85th minute, but it was too little too late for the Buckeyes.
“We had a great start to the game tonight, playing on the road and with so much at stake for both teams,” said head coach Dave DiIanni in a release. “Our first 20 minutes was a reflection of what we’ve been accustom to seeing lately from our kids.
“A very focused, hard working group that moved the ball with purpose and displayed quickness off it in support."
Sunday against Penn State was a similar game, with the Hawkeyes striking in the first five minutes of the game.
Sophomore Corey Burns sent a corner kick flying in, and Bri Toelle scored a few seconds later. Iowa held off the Penn State attack in the first half and went into the break with the score still 1-0.
That did not last. Penn State scored twice in the first 14 minutes of the half and did not relinquish the lead for the rest of the game.
The Nittany Lions held a significant advantage in shots (17-5) and slightly outplayed Iowa.
Beating Penn State would have been a huge bonus for the Hawkeyes, and the opportunity to beat a top-10 team does not get much better than that.
Despite the loss to Penn State, the Hawkeyes are guaranteed a spot in the Big Ten Tournament. The Hawks will still have to make a bit of a run in the tournament to get themselves in contention for an NCAA bid, but things are looking up for the team.
The Hawks will be back in action Friday for their final regular-season game, a match in Lincoln, Nebraska, against the Cornhuskers.
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