by staff–25 Aug ’18
For the first time this season, the Wyoming soccer team (2-0-1) played a full 110 minutes against Northern Iowa (0-0-2) on Friday afternoon, tying 0-0 after double overtime at the Louis S. Madrid Sports Complex.
The Cowgirls recorded a season-high 21 shots and put nine on goal compared to 11 shots by the Panthers and four on goal. Friday marked the second shutout for junior goalkeeper Cristina Salazar and the Cowgirls in 2018.
Wyoming pushed the pace out of the gate which included four shots in the first seven minutes and two on goal. Three different Cowgirls had looks at the goal, but came up empty. UW’s defense really clamped down and despite outshooting UNI, 12-4, the teams went into the locker room with a 0-0 score after the first 45 minutes.
In the second half, Northern Iowa picked up the pace and outshot UW, 6-5. Wyoming had its best scoring chance in the 63rd minute. A header by freshman defender Savannah Warner was blocked and rebounded back to freshman Caitlin Pickett. Her shot was stopped by senior goalkeeper Jami Reichenberger. The Panthers had two chances in the 90thminute of the game as a shot from freshman midfielder Megan Benmore was scooped up by Salazar followed by a shot that hit the post from senior midfielder Hannah McDevitt.
In the first overtime, senior forward Brittney Stark and senior midfielder Moran McDougal each had chances to put the Cowgirls ahead in the first ten minutes but one went wide and the other was blocked. The next ten minutes proved to be unsuccessful for either squad to get a score and the game ended in a 0-0 tie after 110 minutes.
“It was tough match today. I think we created chances but weren’t as technical and composed as we needed to be in the attacking third,” head coach Pete Cuadrado said. “When you get 21 shots, you expect one of them to go in, so that was a little frustrating. We need to clean some things up in that attack. You can’t get that many looks at the goal, kick them to the goalkeeper or over the end line.”
Senior Brittney Stark and freshman forward Indianna Asimus led all players with four shots, putting one on frame. Salazar, senior defender Taylor Burton each played all 110 minutes of the game, while senior midfielder Annika Clayton and senior forward Jessie Gentle logged 100 minutes.
In the only game of the week, the Cowgirls will be on the road Thursday against the Idaho State Bengals. Kick-off is set for 4:00 p.m. MT.
