Pride pull away with 3-0 home victory over Iowa Wesleyan

DUBUQUE, Iowa - The Clarke University women's soccer team got their 2021 season started on the right foot with a 3-0 victory on Wednesday night over Iowa Wesleyan at Burrows Field.

The night started under a weather delay as lightning in the area caused the game to be pushed back further to an 8:15 kickoff after the game was originally scheduled for Tuesday night and moved twice for various reasons.

The Pride dominated ball possession throughout the game but struggled to find the finishing touch in the first half but in the 36th minute, Genevieve Cruz scored her first goal of the season after sliding a shot by the IWU keeper to make it 1-0. It took most of the second half to CU to extend their lead but they eventually scored a pair of goals in quick succession as Shannon Catchur and Zoe Framke got on the board in the 74th and 78th minutes respectively.

Clarke outshot the Tigers 22-3 in the game while earning six corner kicks to just one for Iowa Wesleyan as IWU tried to counter their lack of possession with some physicality, being whistled for nine fouls compared to just four called on the Pride. The only yellow card of the night came against Iowa Wesleyan as Ingryd Lima earned a booking in the 76th minute.

Next up for CU will be their first of five-straight road games starting this Friday in Chicago, Ill. against Trinity Christian College for a 12 PM kickoff.