The Indiana State Sycamores headed to the Iowa Soccer Complex on Sunday with a game plan: Put bodies behind the ball.

The Sycamores’ defensive measures stunted would-be Iowa attacks often throughout the seemingly lopsided game.

“They were very organized, and we were a little disappointed in finding tempo in the midfields and forwards,” Iowa head coach Dave DiIanni said. “We weren’t very dynamic when we found balls in certain areas. Some of it was Indiana State. [Indiana State head coach] Julie [Hansley] was very prepared. Her team worked very hard.”

Hansley is familiar to the Hawkeye faithful. Just four years ago, she left the Black and Gold to don the Blue and White as the Sycamores’ head coach.

“Iowa City’s a great place, and it was my first full-time coaching job,” Hansley said. “I still have a lot of ties here, and it was really great seeing the kids and the coaching staff and obviously to play a really good team.”

Hansley kept her players disciplined in the backline against the Hawkeyes. Iowa struggled to find gaps in the Sycamore defense and failed to capitalize on major chances throughout the game.

“Our mentality has to be better in the midfield and in the final third,” DiIanni said. “We created opportunities, which is good, but we didn’t capitalize on them, and the game got a little harder. As coaches, we need to coach the kids better and be better in the final third.”

It took nearly 65 minutes for the Hawkeyes to break through the Indiana State defensive line. Freshman defender Sara Wheaton took the ball to midfield, where she saw senior forward Rose Ripslinger breaking through the blue backline.

Wheaton volleyed the ball forward to Ripslinger, who threaded her way through the final two defenders and put the ball in the back of the net from 2 yards out.

“It felt really good, but it was a just a game where the goal needed to come,” Ripslinger said. “I was really happy to just set the tone and do what needed to be done.”

A sense of relief washed over the Hawkeye faithful as Iowa clearly outmatched Indiana State, yet had no goals to show for it.

Ripslinger, who spent much of her junior year sidelined with an injury, played the hero in Iowa’s win over Indiana State.

“I’ve just been working really hard to try to come back for my final season,” Ripslinger said. “It was nice, but I want some more.”

Her hungry attitude is what the Hawkeyes need to thrive this season. A lack of offensive production has been saved by a strong defense so far, but it will soon need to be fixed.

“Rose is unbelievable,” DiIanni said. “She is giving everything she has right now. That was a senior moment right there. Today’s a day to champion Rose. She is committed to this team, and she doesn’t want to lose or tie. That’s the senior leadership we need on this team, and that’s the urgency we need to go forward.”

Iowa will play next at 7 p.m. Friday against a talented Central Michigan squad at the Iowa Soccer Complex.