WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The Iowa women’s soccer team suffered its first loss of the young season Thursday night, falling 2-0 to No. 11 Wake Forest despite outshooting the nationally ranked Demon Deacons.
The August 20, 2026, road loss dropped Iowa to 2-1 after the Hawkeyes opened the season with two dominant shutout victories in Iowa City.
Iowa entered Thursday having outscored its first two opponents 12-0. In their previous match, the Hawkeyes rolled past Loyola, 5-0, to improve to 2-0 after beginning the season with a record-setting 7-0 rout of Milwaukee.
Wake Forest wasted little time ending Iowa’s season-opening scoreless streak.
Midfielder Lola Ressler found the net during the first minute of play to give the Demon Deacons an immediate 1-0 advantage.
Iowa recovered from the early blow and generated plenty of offensive pressure.
The Hawkeyes outshot Wake Forest 8-7 during the first half and put three attempts on goal, but could not get one past the Demon Deacon defense.
Iowa goalkeeper Braelynn Galt made two first-half saves as the Hawkeyes kept the deficit at one heading into halftime.
Wake Forest struck again shortly after the break.
Ressler scored her second goal in the 52nd minute, completing a brace and extending the Demon Deacons’ advantage to 2-0.
Iowa continued attacking but could not convert its chances.
The Hawkeyes finished the match with a 17-10 advantage in shots against the nation’s No. 11-ranked team.
Berit Parten led Iowa with five shots, including two on goal.
The statistical advantage continued what has been a relentless start offensively for Iowa. Through three matches, the Hawkeyes have outshot their opponents by a staggering 67-16 margin.
Thursday marked the first time Iowa had outshot an opponent and still lost since a November 21, 2025, match against No. 4 LSU.
Sara Batchadji and Millie Greer also became the first Iowa position players this season to play the entire 90 minutes of a match.
Despite the loss, Iowa leaves Winston-Salem having demonstrated it could generate opportunities against a nationally ranked opponent. The Hawkeyes simply could not turn those chances into goals after scoring 12 times during their first two matches.
Iowa’s road trip continues Sunday, August 23, when the Hawkeyes face UNC Greensboro at the UNC Greensboro Soccer Stadium.
Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. Central time, and the match will be streamed on ESPN+.