BOX SCORE FAYETTE, IOWA – Augustana soccer dropped a close one in a 1-0 defeat on Saturday to Northern Sun Intercollegiate opponent Upper Iowa. The Vikings record slipped to 8-6-1 (6-5-1 NSIC) with the loss, while the Peacocks improved their record to 12-3 (10-2 NSIC) with the victory.
In a game that saw Augustana dominate possession of the ball for a majority of the match, effectively taking high-scoring forward Aimee Wronski out of the contest. The Vikings had a season-low eight shots in the match to show for their efforts, while the Upper Iowa finished the match with 11 shots.
"I thought we had good control of the game, but couldn't finish the opportunities that we got from (Upper Iowa). It can be frustrating because we work really hard on trying to create those chances, and when we can't show anything as a result, well, it is frustrating. We just have to keep working on it." Senior
Kara Bartels said after the game.
Augustana came out controlling play for most of the first half, outshooting the Peacocks six to five in the first half. The Vikings were able to create some opportunites early with
Aleisha Oehlerking and
Kirsten Smith taking the ball down the sides of the field trying to setup
Maren Werth with scoring chances.
Upper Iowa broke the tie and scored the lone goal of the game on a counter in the 29th minute of regulation. Nicole Poirier recorded her first goal of the season when she netted a cross pass from Kali Loescher from eight yards out, giving the Peacocks the 1-0 lead in the contest.
Augustana was unable to do much after and went into the half trailing 1-0.
The second half didn't see much change as Augustana controlled possession for a large portion of the period. The Vikings only recorded two shots to Upper Iowa's six shots.
Augustana saw its best scoring chance of the half come late in the game when
Payton Pry got a breakaway but was unable to tie the game up as a Peacock defender was able to chase her down and stop the break.
The Vikings didn't get another chance after that, losing 1-0 at the end of regulation.
For Augustana, it was the first time this season that it was shutout on the scoreboard in a match.
Werth was the only player to get multiple shots, recording four. Bartels, Pry, Smith, and
Emily Hanneman were the other members to get a shot for the Vikings on Saturday.
Augustana hits the field again on Sunday in a matchup against Winona State (11-2-2, 10-2 NSIC). Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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