Iowa soccer tops VCU to win Hawkeye Invitational

A strong second-half effort and two freshmen led the Hawkeyes over Virginia Commonwealth on Sunday.

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James Geerdes, Sports Reporter

Iowa soccer ran (at times) its record to 4-0-1 after topping VCU on Sept. 2.

The Hawkeyes trudged through the first half unable to find a counterattack to the high-pressure VCU offense. The Black and Gold defense was repeatedly tested through the first 45 minutes, but senior center back Morgan Kemerling proved to be a geat asset.

With time dwindling in the first half, a rain delay was called. After nearly an hour’s wait, Iowa came back to the pitch with a more defined game plan, launching counters against VCU.

Still scoreless at the half, the Hawkeyes appeared determined to go on the attack. Kaleigh Haus had an opportunity to score in the second half but missed wide. Then, in the 50th minute, freshman Josie Durr scored her second goal of the weekend on a corner kick from Riley Whitaker to put Iowa up, 1-0.

Then another freshman came up big for head coach Dave DiIanni’s squad. Olivia Hellweg scored her first goal as a Hawkeye in the 70th minute of her fifth game.

Keeper Claire Graves and the Iowa defense locked down VCU until time expired to secure the victory.

With the win, Iowa took the Hawkeye Invitational title over Central Michigan, VCU, and Northern Iowa.