Iowa State Falls to Minnesota in Season Finale

AMES, Iowa - The Iowa State soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision to non-conference foe Minnesota Sunday in the final game of the 2003 season for both squads. The Cyclones finish the season 5-10-4 while Minnesota closes with a 6-10-2 mark. The Golden Gophers collect their fourth straight win over ISU.

After an early shot by Iowa State's Alli Coleman, Minnesota controlled the action offensively the remainder of the first half. Over the final 35 minutes of the opening period, the Gophers outshot ISU 7-0. Minnesota's Amanda McMahon took three first-half shots, and Cyclone goalkeeper Beth Chapman had two saves in the scoreless first half.

Minnesota saw an early scoring opportunity in the second half as Rebecca Dellaria's shot glanced off the post in the 48th minute. The Gophers broke through in the 65th minute when Iowa State attempted to clear the ball out of its own end. McMahon broke up the attempt and knocked it into the goal from 12 yards out.

Down a goal, Iowa State changed its alignment, moving junior Erin Weldon to forward. The move paid off as Weldon was fouled in front of the net in the 74th minute. Sophomore midfielder Deb Benakis converted the ensuing penalty kick to even the score at a goal apiece. The goal was Benakis' fourth of the season and her second successful penalty kick in as many attempts.

Minnesota answered back with just under 10 minutes to play. After a McMahon shot attempt went wide, the Gophers controlled the subsequent goal kick in the ISU end. Kaitlin Neary found Haley Lentsch on the left side of the 18-yard box. Lentsch's shot hit the right side of the crossbar and caromed into the goal for her team-leading seventh goal of the season, her third game-winning goal. Weldon and Jess Villhauer both fired shots on goal in the final moments for Iowa State, and Lindsey Lees' long-range shot in the final minute sailed just high.

"We played lots of people in different spots today," ISU head coach Rebecca Hornbacher said. "They stepped up to the challenge."

All 11 Iowa State starters played over 85 minutes in the contest, with 10 going the distance. Minnesota outshot ISU 17-7, with McMahon leading the way with six shots. Villhauer led Iowa State with two shots. Chapman tallied four saves on the day to finish with 90 for the season, and she set a new ISU single-season record with 1,705 minutes in goal. Sunday's game marked the end of the ISU careers of Chapman, Lees and Arlene Samuel.

"We thanked our seniors for their contributions to our program," Hornbacher said. "Beth, Arlene and Lindsey have been the backbone of our team."

Players Mentioned

Deb Benakis

Deb Benakis

Beth Chapman

Beth Chapman

Alli Coleman

Lindsey Lees

Lindsey Lees

Arlene Samuel

Arlene Samuel

Jess Villhauer

Erin Weldon

Erin Weldon

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