Sept. 24, 2007
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This Week
The University of Iowa soccer team brings its four-game winning streak back to Iowa City this weekend as it opens Big Ten Conference play. The Hawkeyes entertain Michigan State Friday night at 7 p.m. and Michigan on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.
Both matches will be held at the UI Soccer Complex.
Scouting Michigan State
Michigan State (5-2-1) comes into Iowa City this weekend having won three of its past four matches.
The Spartans are led by sophomore Lauren Hill and senior Maureen Pawlak, who have combined for nine of Michigan State’s 12 goals this season.
Iowa holds an all-time record of 2-7-1 vs. Michigan State, including a 1-0 loss last season in East Lansing.
Scouting Michigan
Michigan (2-4-1) enters Sunday’s match having lost four of its last five matches.
The Wolverines are led by Amanda Bowery, who has tallied three goals on the season.
The Hawkeyes are winless in 11 tries against Michigan, including a 2-1 loss last season.
Last Week
The Hawkeyes participated in three games last week, gaining wins in all three.
Last Tuesday, the Hawkeyes blanked Northern Iowa 4-0 behind a strong offensive attack. Stephanie Hyink, Heather Windsor, Mandy Heimann and Kelsie Full all netted their first goals of the season.
The Hawkeyes were on the road for the next two. Iowa beat Creighton 1-0 behind a goal from Jackie Kaeding and defeated South Dakota State 3-2. Sarah Stephenson and Alexandria Seydel scored goals against the Jacks.
Offensive Explosion
After recording just one goal in their first four matches, the Hawkeye offense has thrived by scoring nine goals in the last four matches.
Depth and balance have been key, as nine different players have scored a goal for the Hawkeyes. Junior Kelsey Shaw has two.
Hawks Are Hot
The Hawkeyes have won four straight matches for the first time since the 2002 season.
Iowa has not lost since September 7 against then-No. 23 Missouri.
Saving The Day
Senior goalkeeper Lindsey Boldt continues to stay among the elite keepers in the Big Ten.
Through Monday, Boldt was ranked second in goals-against-average (0.59), second in save percentage (.853), fifth in saves (29), and tied for first in shutouts (4).
Getting Defensive
Iowa’s defensive efforts have been solid all season and it continues to show itself in the statistics.
The Hawkeyes remain tied for first in goals allowed (5).
A Look Ahead…
After the brief two-game homestand, the Hawkeyes will be on the road for four matches in the next two weeks.
Next week, the Hawkeyes will be at UW-Milwaukee and Illinois.
Quoting Ron Rainey:
“We’re happy to get those two wins on the road last weekend,” Iowa’s second-year head coach said. “We have two very good opponents coming into our place this week. We’ll get ready for them.”
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