The University of Arizona women’s soccer team (5-4, 0-1 in Big 12) suffered a 1-0 loss against Iowa State on Thursday, Sept. 18, at 4 p.m. in Ames, Iowa. This marked the Wildcat’s first conference matchup of the season.
First half
The first 45 minutes of play were back-and-forth with several fouls against Arizona giving the Cyclones possession of the ball. In the first half alone, the Wildcats earned seven fouls.
With a tie of three shots for both programs, the first half was projecting the game to go either way. Arizona’s Narissa Fults got two shots off, but neither of them were able to secure a lead. Trinity Dorsey earned Arizona’s third shot of the first half, going above the crossbar.
Arizona earned three attempts at goal off of corner kicks, but Iowa’s defense was able to clear the ball and ultimately rid the Wildcats of any further chances to score.
The Cyclones had equal pressure up top, seeing shots from three different players and posing a threat offensively against the Wildcats’ backline. Both teams were visibly hungry to put in the first goal of the match.
As the first half came to a close, the game remained scoreless at zero.
Second half
Right out of the gate, both Arizona and Iowa State surged forward in efforts of finding the net. The Wildcats got off the first shot of the half from junior Aranda Hurge, going just right of the goal.
The Cyclones fired back with a shot from Erin Hopewell, causing Arizona senior goalkeeper Olivia Ramey to make a save in goal. Taylor Spitzer hit the ball just right of the goal for Iowa only a minute after Ramey’s crucial save.
It was a guessing game on the pitch as to who could land the first goal for their team and seal the lead.
Arizona continued to respond to Iowa’s efforts with pressure of its own. Midfielder Lily Boydstun found the ball and hit it low center, going right to Iowa’s keeper Kasey Cannistraro. The Wildcats got two more shots off but were still short of finding the net.
Head coach Becca Moros used substitution as means to find a working pattern in their upper third and relieve some players of their offensive efforts. As the half continued, Arizona’s opportunities on goal began to slow.
Their defensive line held strong but gave Iowa State three back-to-back corner kicks. Fortunately for the Wildcats, none of them slipped past Ramey.
The Cyclones continued to fire off shots until they finally succeeded with a goal from Megan Walters, securing a 1-0 lead with just above 10 minutes remaining in play. Arizona tried to respond with a shot from Marissa Arnst but ultimately fell short.
Iowa State out-shot the Wildcats 8-5 in the second half which showed in the final score of the game.
Looking ahead
Arizona soccer looks to come back against the University of Central Florida next Thursday, Sept. 25, at Murphey Field at Mulcahy Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m. The game can also be streamed on ESPN+.
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