BUIES CREEK - Campbell women's soccer team's record-setting season came to an end Tuesday afternoon at Eakes Athletics Complex as it fell 1-0 to Iowa in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Camels end its season with an 8-4-1 overall record after winning its first Big South title since 1993 and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004.
Iowa advances to the second round of the tournament with a 7-8-1 record, improving its win-streak to five games after winning the Big Ten Tournament.
Sara Wheaton scored in the 4th minute on a corner kick set piece. Samantha Cary placed her corner kick to Wheaton on the far post. Wheaton took a low shot that deflected in for the score.
"Tonight's match was a tough one. I thought we were on the back foot a bit the first 20 minutes, and the goal they scored was really unlucky for us," head coach Samar Azem said. "The second part of the first half and the entire second half our players did phenomenally well to control the tempo and I'm proud of them for it. We were equally unlucky to not get an equalizer. But regardless it was a good experience for our very young team to learn from and grow from."
Campbell came close to an equalizer on several occasions throughout the match. One of the Camels best chances came in the 36th minute as Laney Peabody's header forced Iowa's Gianna Gourley to clear away the attempt on a team save.
Cameron Turner added another opportunity in the 55th minute as she connected on a header after receiving a volley from Emma Bushee.
The Camels tallied three more shots in the final 10 minutes but were unable to convert.
The Hawkeyes outshot Campbell, 12-8, but narrowly held a 5-4 advantage for shots on goal. Campbell earned seven corners to Iowa's six.
"I want to thank our seniors who have carried this young team to great heights," Azem continued. "To our leaders for pouring into the season and to our entire team and staff I value everything they sacrificed and put into season to rewrite the direction of this program. This is just the beginning for us and I couldn't be more thrilled about the future of this program and these players."
Campbell will return in the fall for the 2021 season. Follow @GoCamelsWSOC on social media for all the latest updates regarding Campbell women's soccer.
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