GRINNELL, Iowa - The University of Dubuque women's soccer team made the trip to central Iowa to face off against the Grinnell Pioneers Tuesday evening. The Spartans started the year off on the right foot with a 1-0 win over the Pioneers in a hard fought and high temperature battle with the temps over 90 degrees and 62% humidity.
In the first half of action, the Spartans got chances in the early minutes with two corners putting the Pioneers on the back foot in the through the first 15. After the water break, Dubuque fended off multiple attacks with goalkeeper Samantha Jurgens making three saves to keep the score at zeros heading into the second period.
After handling some strong pressure in the first half, the Spartans flipped the script in the second half. The Spartans applied pressure and controlled the ball, putting nine shots towards goal, three on target with two more going off the crossbar. After nine shot attempts and multiple chances, the Spartans finally found the breakthrough on a corner kick in the 82nd minute, when Taryn Richey put in a perfect cross right onto the head of Sarah Thompson, who floated the ball right into the empty net. After the goal, UD locked down defensively and kept Grinnell from registering another shot in the final minutes to hold on for a 1-0 win. The Spartans open the 2026 season with a 1-0 record.
Sarah Thompson led the Spartans with the game-winning goal on her lone shot attempt of the game. Taryn Richey picked up the assist for the goal on a great cross. Bree Swenson led the team with three shots, with Brooke Clark and Kaelyn Kanable firing off two shots. Samantha Jurgens in goal made four critical saves. UD outshot the Pioneers 10-9, and both sides had four corner kicks.
Up Next
The Spartans will play their home opener against Carroll University on Friday, September 4. The game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and will be played at Oyen Field in Dubuque, Iowa.
