Hawkeyes, Longhorns draw in a top 25 showdown
Defense, defense, defense. It’s the hallmark of every single Iowa Women’s Soccer team led by Dave Dilanni and against 12th-ranked Texas, that world class defense was on display. The Longhorns were a top five goal scoring team last season, while they duo of Trinity Byars and Lexi Missimo combined for 44 goals. However, on a steamy Sunday afternoon in Austin, they were held without a goal, as the Hawkeyes and Longhorns played to a 0-0 draw.
Despite the Longhorns’ offensive capabilities, the Iowa defense managed to keep them mostly quiet in the opening half. Forward Lexi Missimo had a look slide just wide of the goal in the 15th minute, but chances for Texas were scarce throughout the initial 45 minutes. The Horns were held under ten shots in the first half for the first time this season.
Midfielder Meike Ingles nearly put the Hawkeyes on the board in the 30th minute. Lauren Geczik found Ingles wide open on the perimeter and she was able to dribble in near the box, before blasting a shot on goal. Texas goalkeeper Mia Justus got gloves on the ball and deflected it up, off the crossbar and over the goal frame for a corner. Inches from giving Iowa the lead.
The second half yielded a few opportunities for both sides, but neither team was able to seriously threaten the goal. A draw for the Hawkeyes did not come without some late dramatics. In the 84th minute, goalkeeper Macy Enneking got her hand on a cross from Amalia Villareal, but Trinity Byars pinballed it in front of the goal with Enneking out of position by the post. Luckily, Millie Greer was there to gather the ball and send it out of the danger area.
The Longhorns held the advantage in shots 19-8 and 6-4 in shots on goal, but were unable to earn a corner kick, while the Hawkeyes had three. It’s the first time under 13th-year head coach Angela Kelly that her team has gone without a corner opportunity.
Up next, the Hawkeyes will come home to Iowa City for their home opener on Thursday against preseason ASUN favorite Florida Gulf Coast. Kickoff is set for 7:00pm CT on BTN+.
