Southeast Missouri State women's soccer team falters at Big Ten's Iowa

The Southeast Missouri State women's soccer team suffered its first loss of the season Sunday, falling at Iowa 2-1.

Southeast is 1-1, while the Hawkeyes from the Big Ten Conference improved to 2-0.

"Overall, it was a very good performance against a talented team from the Big Ten Conference," Southeast coach Heather Nelson said. "We were able to put them under some pressure late in the game. We changed our attacking formation with 10 minutes remaining to try and get the equalizer, but their defense held strong."

Katie Nasenbenny opened the scoring for Iowa a little more than six minutes into the game.

The Redhawks tied it with about five minutes left in the opening half on a goal by sophomore Jacey Boyko. Senior Nikki Edwards earned an assist.

Nasenbenny notched her second goal of the day just 50 seconds into the second half off a rebound of her penalty kick that had been saved by sophomore keeper Ashton Aubuchon.

Iowa outshot Southeast 21-9.

Aubuchon recorded a career-high eight saves in the nets for the Redhawks.

"Our team fought from start to finish and showed some great character on a tough opening weekend road trip," said Nelson, whose squad won at Illinois State 3-2 on Friday.

Southeast plays its first home game Sunday when Arkansas State visits Houck Stadium at 1 p.m. That is the Redhawks' lone home contest among their opening nine games.