Aug. 23, 2005
According to Head Coach Carla Baker, all the pieces are in place for a successful 2005 campaign for the Iowa Hawkeyes. The squad returns 17 letterwinners, eight starters and has a nationally ranked recruiting class. After a productive offseason, Baker and the Hawkeyes are excited to get back on the pitch.
“The spring gave us a great foundation to build our season around,” Baker said. “Our success in the spring presented us the opportunity to challenge our squad both tactically and physically, and they responded with tremendous progress. The work we have done will only help us become a more solidified squad.”
The Hawkeyes will have a new face patrolling the sidelines along with Baker and assistant coach Josh Green. Abby Rabinovitz is the newest addition to the staff. Rabinovitz, a graduate of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, was a graduate assistant at Kent State for two seasons and helped guide the Golden Flashes to their first ever MAC championship and a school record 8-2 mark.
GOALKEEPERS
Hawkeye fans will have to get used to seeing a new face between the posts this season. Gone is Britta Vogele, the most decorated goalkeeper in Iowa soccer history. Vogele was a three year-starter and holds virtually every goalkeeping school record, but Baker is confident that someone will step up to fill her shoes in goal.
Sophomore Lindsey Boldt returns after gaining some game experience last season. Boldt appeared in three games in 2004 and recorded seven saves. Freshman Erin MacIsaac is also battling for time in goal this season.
“We have two young individuals who will push each other this season,” Baker said. “Lindsey had a great mentor in Britta and really took advantage of that opportunity. It will be fun to see both student-athletes grow and mature over the season.”
DEFENDERS
The Hawkeyes return six defenders from last year’s squad, all of which were in the starting 11 at one point during the season. Megan Love, Sarah Stephenson, Claire Goldenber, Abby Gierke and Kim Lewis all return in the back for Iowa.
“It’s nice to have a large returning group in the back for us this season,” Baker said. “Sarah was able to show a tremendous amount of diversity during the spring and Megan showed us a completely different dimension of her play. With this many defenders, someone will have to step up and show leadership and this type of competition will only make our defense stronger.”
Five newcomers will also see time in back this season. Katie Smeltzer and Amanda Bartlett will primarily see time as defenders while Kelsey Shaw, Kelly Warner and Andrea Wersyn will split time between defense and midfield.
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Senior Whitney Strain |
MIDFIELDERS
Seniors and returning starters the most experienced in the Hawkeye midfield this season. Iowa returns seniors Whitney Strain and Natalie Lencioni, along with returning starters Jamie Maltman, Katie Mulvahill and Ashley Schlueter.
“Having two seniors present in our midfield will really help us control the match tempo,” Baker said. “We have two seniors who know our system and have and inspiring work rate. I’m really excited to see Jamie at a constant position this season. She had to deal with multiple positions in 2004 but now she will have a permanent position and can focus on growing as a midfielder.”
Another large group of newcomers will compete for time at midfield. Jackie Kaeding, Katie Shumaker and Manon Engelhardt along with Shaw, Warner and Wersyn have the potential to be in the starting 11 at any point during the season.
FORWARDS
Hawkeye fans will be happy to see a healthy Katelyn Quinn up front in 2005. Quinn was an all-Big Ten selection in 2003, but was forced to sit out most of 2004 due to injury. Quinn is now healthy and Baker is looking for her to be a force for the Hawkeyes. Joining Quinn up front will be returning letterwinners Kelsie Full and Melisa Kaetterhenry, along with newcomers Stephanie Hyink and Jacqui Zuniga.
“We made great strides at the forward position in the spring,” Baker said. “The forwards were able to grow in different areas within their position. The knowledge and ability Katelyn brings along with the talent of our returnees and newcomers is promising for the future of our program.”