Nebraska Rallies Past ISU 2-1 in Overtime

LINCOLN, Neb.?The Iowa State soccer team's upset bid fell just short as Nebraska overcame a 1-0 second-half deficit and found the back of the net 7:30 into the first overtime period to down the Cyclones 2-1 Friday.

The duo of Mary Kate McLaughlin and Amanda Woelfel teamed up to score for the Cyclones at the 63:48 mark. Woelfel served a free kick into the penalty area and McLaughlin headed the ball into the back of the net to give Iowa State (7-9-4/2-8-0 Big 12) the 1-0 lead. The goal marked the second time McLaughlin and Woelfel scored in a similar fashion, with the first tally coming as the game-winner against Northern Iowa on Oct. 4. The goal was McLaughlin's fourth of the season and saw Woelfel dish out her third assist.

“Mary Kate ran hard and had a great effort to get the ball into the goal,” Iowa State head coach Wendy Dillinger said.

The Cornhuskers battled back to level the match at one in the 73rd minute off a goal from Molly Thomas, while Morgan Marlborough and Anna Canigla were credited with the assists.

Nebraska's Lauren Isenhower scored the game-winner off an assist from Molly Thomas 97:30 into the contest.

The match was the first time in six overtime appearances the Cyclones lost and also concluded Iowa State's 2009 campaign.

Dillinger said the Cyclones made great strides in her second year at the helm.

“We made progress,” she said. “We showed we were deeper, and we were in every game. Competitively, we are doing a much better job, especially with a young group. I feel like we're one step away.”

For the match, the Cornhuskers registered 20 shots to Iowa State's 10 and Nebraska (11-4-4/5-3-2 Big 12) held a 15-4 corner-kick edge.

Playing in her final match as a Cyclone, Ann Gleason made five saves. The Stillwater, Minn., native played every minute of action for ISU in 2009.

“Ann has been the anchor for us in the back for her four years of time at Iowa State,” Dillinger said. “She always comes up with big saves and keeps us in games.”

In the first half, Nebraska outshot Iowa State 13-4 and had a 6-1 corner-kick advantage. ISU was statistically stronger in the second half, level with Nebraska in shots at six.

“In the second half we played a lot harder and battled well,” Dillinger said. “We forced Nebraska to work hard for both its goals. We also had some great chances to score and we mounted a much better attack than we have in awhile.”

In addition to Gleason, the match was the final outing as a Cyclone for six seniors. Dillinger had high praise for all the outgoing members of the ISU soccer squad.

“Elise (Reid) made a huge shift for us when she went from an offensive role to playing in the back before conference play started,” Dillinger said. “She had a big hand in why we were in every game this year.

“(Lauren) Fader also shifted this season, moving from the back line to the midfield. She did a great job of controlling the other teams' attack, challenging for balls and winning balls in the midfield game in and game out.

“It was amazing that (Elisa) Berzins was even able to play this year because of injuries. She really provided us with a lot of quality minutes in the midfield and in the back.

“Casey (Bothwell), Adrianna O'Neill and (Amanda) Nimtz really brought a lot to our attack and proved to be important, versatile players for us.

“It was a good group that put in a lot of time and energy the past four years. They came in this year and set a good tone for how things were going to be, and they were committed to doing whatever was asked of them. They set a good direction for the teams in the coming years.”

Players Mentioned

Ann Gleason

Ann Gleason

Mary Kate McLaughlin

Mary Kate McLaughlin

Adrianna O'Neill

Adrianna O'Neill

Amanda Woelfel

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