Northwestern University opened Big Ten conference play Saturday with a 4-1 loss to 12th-ranked Iowa at the Hawkeye's Grant Field. The loss drops NU to 4-5 overall and 0-1 in the Big Ten. Iowa improves to 6-3, 1-0 as it was the Hawks first home game of the season.

Iowa dominated early, outshooting the Wildcats 8-1 in the first half. Tiffany Liester opened the scoring with a goal off a penalty corner eight minutes into the game. The Hawkeye's made the score 2-0 when Jess Zosky scored with 40 seconds left in the half, knocking in a rebound off a penalty corner.

"Our kids played one of our best games this season," said head coach Marisa Didio. "The score is deceiving, we played better than what the box score says."

In the second half, Iowa extended its lead as Pattie Gillern scored two goals, giving the Hawkeyes a 4-0 lead.

NU, who outshot Iowa 11-4 in the second half, got on the board late as freshman Christine Nannicelli (Walpole, Mass./Walpole) scored her first collegiate goal on a penalty stroke. Nannicelli's fired her stroke past backup goalkeeper, Saleema Rogers.

In goal, freshman Kelly Augustine (Northampton, Pa./Northampton) played all 70 minutes, saving a career-high six shots.

"Kelly was a little indecisive in some of her decision making," said Didio. "That may of led to some scores, but what impressed me the most was how we didn't lose focus. Even down 4-0, we stayed with our game plan and continued to have scoring chances until the final whistle."

The `Cats are back in action next Saturday, when they host No. 6 Penn State at Lakeside Field in Evanston. Game time is set for 1 p.m.

Freshman Christine Nannicelli scored her first collegiate goal in NU's 4-1 loss to Iowa

there are chances to win in the future!! go cats!!