The Iowa soccer team fought hard and challenged Northwestern all through regulation and double overtime Sunday at the Iowa Soccer Complex but closed the season with a 1-1 draw on Senior Day.

Iowa celebrated seniors Morgan Kemerling, Jenna Kentgen, Rose Ripslinger, and Karsen Rauch.

“It has been awesome these past four years,” Kemerling said. “The love and support that I have received not only from my coaches, teammates, and everyone in the program has had an impact on me.”

This game ultimately was sudden death for the Hawkeyes and the Wildcats, who were fighting for a spot in the Big Ten Tournament.

Both teams came out strong from the first whistle. The Hawkeyes were the first to strike and get on the board.

A cross into the box from junior Devin Burns found redshirt senior Rose Ripslinger, who sent the ball to the back of the net for her third goal of the season.

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“Devin did a great job getting around her defender; I was able to hit a front post run and get a touch,” Ripslinger said. “I finally got a turn and tried to curl it, and it was one of the most exciting moments of my career.”

Northwestern made its first attempt to get on the board in the 11th minute, but Hawkeye junior goalkeeper Claire Graves would have none of it.

She made a crucial save, denying Marisa Viggiano’s shot from the box.

Iowa showed resiliency and toughness on defense to hold the Wildcats scoreless in the first half.

The Wildcats came out of the gate strong the second half, and something seemed to be off a bit with Iowa’s offense.

It moved the ball well but it seemed as though timing would be the factor that played a major role in the second half.

But that didn’t stop the shots on goal from the Hawkeyes.

Junior Natalie Winters sent through a shot in the 62nd minute, but Wildcat goalkeeper Mackenzie Wood had other plans. Woods made the stop and gave the Wildcat offense the time it needed for Viggiano to make the score 1-1 and ultimately send it to overtime.

Iowa had two major chances to snare a victory.

In the 95th minute, redshirt freshman Josie Durr sent a shot into the box, but Woods made a game-saving stop to keep Northwestern in the game.

Then, in the 102nd minute, redshirt junior Kaleigh Haus made the last attempt for the Hawkeyes but couldn’t find the net.

The last shot of the game was made in the 103rd minute by Wildcat Kayla Sharples. Graves saved the day for Iowa to keep the game tied at 1.

Though the team played well and fought hard, it wasn’t enough to move the Hawkeyes up in the standings for the tournament (the Big Ten Tournament only takes the top eight teams).

Iowa’s conference record after the tie on Sunday left it at 4-5-2, giving Nebraska and Northwestern the opportunity to jump the Hawkeyes in standings.

Iowa needed the win to hold onto a spot in the standings.

Hawkeye head coach Dave DiIanni said he is still extremely proud of his squad and can see a bright future for the program.

“I thought we played really well; these were two teams fighting for a lot at stake, each team needed a win, it became a physical game,” he said. “We got a special goal from Rose Ripslinger in the first half. The second half we did not play as well as we should have. We missed opportunities technically and tactically to open up the game and take pressure off our backline. Give them credit; they are a good team and pinned us in for moments that were difficult to deal with. I’m not disappointed in the girls at all.”