Issue link: https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1371865
41 T he road from embarrassing to unbeatable started innocently for the University of Iowa women's soccer team. One of the most unlikely success stories began with a single goal at Maryland, seven minutes into overtime. It was just the second time the Hawkeyes found the net in their first eight matches, but it was a game-winner coming off the foot of sophomore Gianna Gourley. "If we don't beat Maryland (on March 21), it is probably our season," Iowa head coach Dave DiIanni admitted. "But we do (defeat Maryland, 1-0) and we do it in a fashion where we dominated them, we still can't score, but we get an overtime goal right away and that spring-boarded us." With the victory, the Hawkeyes improved to 1-6-1 and no one could imagine at the time, but Iowa was transforming into the best team in the always deep Big Ten Conference. e regular season concluded with a 1-0 loss against No. 9 Penn State, a second 1-0 win on Senior Day against Purdue and a 1-0 loss at Nebraska. at sent the Hawkeyes into Big Ten Regional Weekend with a record of 2-8-1 — and a total of three goals scored in the entire regular season. A 1-2 stretch isn't an ideal way to head into a single-elimination extravaganza, but the Hawkeyes grew better as the season grew longer. ey saw incremental improvement and they were asking to be pushed. "We had a little bit of a personality," DiIanni said. "(Early in the season), we didn't have really anything we were good at. In their words, we were embarrassing. We did not put the energy and effort into winning at this level." But the Hawkeyes remained invested even as their loss total increased and DiIanni asked them to give more and more. "e coaches kept harping on us to trust the process," said junior Hailey Rydberg, who was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament team. "Good things will come if you keep investing." Iowa opened the postseason with a 2-1 win in overtime at Illinois with freshman Meike Ingles scoring the game-winner in the 93rd minute. en came a 2-0 win against Minnesota. "We always believed in ourselves, but to see it actually happen is a lot crazier and mind- blowing," said junior Sara Wheaton. "It can be so inspirational for so many people." e Hawkeyes remained motivated and proficient when the now four-team tournament relocated to Penn State. In a semifinal against the top- seeded and host Nittany Lions, a goal by Ingles in the 48th minute held, despite Iowa playing the final 30 minutes down a defender. e Hawkeyes completed their Cinderella sweep three days later with a 1-0 win against Wisconsin. Junior Jenny Cape scored the game-winner in the 64th minute. By the time a Gatorade shower immersed DiIanni, Iowa had won its fourth game in a row, improved to 6-8-1, and for the first time in program history, won the Big Ten Tournament. It was an unlikely run for sure. "is group created history and cemented its legacy," DiIanni said. e Hawkeyes entered the unique 2021 spring