Falcons falls 3-1 in soccer season opener, 3-2 against Iowa

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GREELEY, Colo. (AFPN) --  Jessica Zimmerman’s two goals propelled the University of Northern Colorado past Air Force, 3-1, in the soccer season opener for both teams Aug. 26 here.

Northern Colorado struck first at the 32-minute mark as Teresa Prais scored off a pass from Zimmerman to put her team ahead 1-0. Air Force struck back a minute later, though, as Katherine Taylor scored her first career goal off a pass from Ashley Parker.

After battling to a 1-1 tie at the half, the two teams played more than 25 minutes of scoreless ball in the second period until Zimmerman broke the game open with two goals.

She struck for the go-ahead score at the 72:57 mark on a header off a free kick from goalkeeper Chrissy Marvin. Seconds later, Zimmerman scored her second goal to put the game out of reach at 3-1.

Marvin recorded zero saves for the win, while Erin Wallace had five saves in 90 minutes for the Falcons.

Air Force was out-shot 16-10, and tied UNC with 12 fouls committed each. Taylor led the Falcons with three shots. The academy women are 4-10 in season openers and 4-3 lifetime against UNC.

Two days later in their home opener, the Falcons suffered a 3-2 overtime defeat against the University of Iowa.

Kelsey Shaw’s goal in the 93rd minute rallied Iowa to victory in a fiercely fought contest at Falcon Field. With the loss, the Falcons fell to 0-2 on the season.

Iowa jumped on the scoreboard first at the 29:57 mark when Stephanie Hyink took a pass that was lobbed over the Falcon defense by Katelyn Quinn and drilled a shot past academy goalkeeper Jennifer Drew from 15 yards out.

The Falcons countered with a goal of their own to tie that match 1-1 at the 39:17 mark. Iowa goalkeeper Lindsey Boldt misplayed the ball in a crowded box, allowing Lindsay Temes to record her first career goal on an open net. Taylor was credited with the assist.

Just minutes into the second period, Air Force went ahead 2-1 as Meredith Benson headed in a goal off a corner kick from Katherine Slogic at the 47:55 mark.

Iowa then tied the match up 2-2 as Hyink and Stephenson combined to score again. Stephenson sent a pass into a crowded goal box where Hyink was able to beat Drew to the ball and head it into the net at the 73rd minute of play.

The two teams did not score during the remainder of the period and the game went into overtime. Three minutes into overtime, Quinn sent a pass to Shaw whose header was the game winner for Iowa.

Air Force had 11 shots in the game, with six on goal. Taylor led the team with four shots, one on goal. Iowa had 17 shots, seven on goal. The Falcons committed 14 fouls while Iowa had 11. Both teams had one yellow card issued.

Boldt had four saves for Iowa, while Drew, making her first start of the season at goalkeeper, had four saves in the loss.

Air Force returns to action with a pair of home games. The Falcons take on Providence University on Sept. 2, and Central Michigan University on Sept. 4.