For the first time in 2025, the Iowa Soccer team took to the pitch at the UI Soccer Complex on Friday afternoon. Coming off of the program’s first Round of 16 appearance last season, the Hawkeyes are looking to get back to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time under head coach Dave Dilanni.
In their final tune up before the regular season gets underway next Thursday, the Hawkeyes played to a 2-2 draw with Kansas, a program that made the NCAA Tournament last season.
The Jayhawks opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a goal from senior forward Lexi Watts. A well place ball into the center of the box from midfielder Saige Wimes found the foot of Watts, who came flashing into the box and she slotted it home for the opener.
Iowa found the equalizer in the 28th minute, with a goal from true freshman Elle Wildman. She got the ball in the right side of the box and sent a shot off the far post and past goalkeeper Sophie Dawe to tie the game.
Kansas retook the lead in the 68th minute. Defender Millie Greer made an uncharacteristic and costly mistake, turning the ball over in the box, which led to an easy goal.
The Hawkeyes found a late equalizer to earn a draw in the exhibition. In the 84th minute, Meike Ingles sent a lengthy cross from the right half into the box and found the head of Millie Greer, who found the back of the net for the goal. After a surprising mistake by Greer gave Kansas the lead, she bounced back with a big play late in the match.
FULL TIME
#13 Iowa: 2 Kansas: 2
Shots: Iowa 12-10 Corners: Kansas 5-4 Fouls: Kansas 8-7
Quotes from Head Coach Dave Dilanni
“Kansas is a great team to be able to play that replicates Arkansas, which is very aggressive in the press and playing through pressure. I thought we had moments of success and obviously, their two goals were the result of us turning the ball over out of the back.”
“We played (Kansas) for a reason. We have Arkansas next week, and then TCU after that. They’re all very similar and for us, being a bit more resilient when things get difficult.”
“I thought the back five were not incredibly aligned with one another tactically, but Kansas does pretty well in terms of pressing and making things difficult. I think our execution of that was very average.”
“In the positives, I thought Josie Jones, a true freshman, was fantastic. I thought she was clean. I thought Meike Ingles was very good, and Elle Wildman had some really good moments. We just have to be much more consistent.”
“We’ve made a decision for the first two weeks to play a lot of players in different spots, so there’s an element to that where there’s just not a lot of chemistry right now, aside from a couple players here and there. We’ll have to simplify the roster, build some relationships and some consistency about where players play.”
“We’re a better team than what we played in these two (exhibition) games…We just have to be much more consistent as players…I think finding players to replace Maggie Johnston, Rielee Fetty is important, and I don’t think we’ve found that yet.”
“Millie’s taking on a bit of a different role this year in terms of a little bit more leadership and a lot more responsibility. Quite honestly, I feel like maybe it’s on her shoulders a bit too much. I’d like to see her just go out and play and not be worried about that other stuff…she could have dug a hole and disappeared, but she’s on the end of the second goal and that’s great.”
Iowa Starting Lineup
Goalkeeper: Fernanda Mayrink (played first half)
Forward: Meike Ingles, Liana Tarasco, Elle Wildman
Midfield: Sofia Bush, Eileen Solomon, Kenzie Roling, Abby Skiff
Defender: Millie Greer, Miah Schueller, Price Loposer
Substitutes Used
Goalkeeper: Taylor Kane (played second half)
Forward: Berkley Binggeli, Kelli McGroarty, Shae Doherty, Morgan Lietz, Olivia Lebdaoui
Midfield: Josie Jones, Caleigh Collard, Kellen Fife, Charlotte Bien
Defender: Sammy Reimer, Lexy Griffin, Iba Oching
The 13th-ranked Hawkeyes open the regular season on August 14th, with a trip to Fayetteville for a matchup with the 6th-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks. The match kicks off at 6:30pm CT on SECN+.