Oct. 16, 2007
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This Week
The University of Iowa soccer team enters this weekend with their final homestand of the season. The Hawkeyes will host perennial Big Ten power Penn State Friday at 7 p.m. and Ohio State Sunday at 1 p.m.
Scouting Penn State
The Nittany Lions enter Friday’s match against the Hawkeyes sporting a 5-0-0 conference record an eight-match win streak. Penn State has won nine consecutive Big Ten championships.
Leading the offense is sophomore Katie Schoepfer and senior Aubrey Aden-Buie. The duo has combined for 16 of Penn State’s 28 total goals.
Penn State is coached by Erica Walsh, who is in her first year at State College. Walsh sports a career record of 40-28-3.
The Hawkeyes are winless in 10 tries against Penn State, including a 3-0 defeat last season.
Scouting Ohio State
Ohio State comes to Iowa City with a 9-5-0 record, but all five losses have come on the road.
Lara Dickenmann leads the Buckeyes in points (10) and goals (four) while goalkeeper Lauren Robertson has four shutouts on the season.
Ohio State is coached by Lori Walker, who is in her tenth season as a Buckeye. She holds a 122-105-16 career record.
The Hawkeyes are 3-6-1 against Ohio State, including a 2-0 loss last season.
Last Week’s Heartbreak
Last weekend was full of heartbreak for the Hawkeyes, as they dropped two matches in overtime.
At Purdue, freshman Victoria Bachand netted her first collegiate goal in the 84th minute to tie the score at 1-1. The No. 8 Boilermakers quickly put an end to the Hawkeye rally by scoring a goal in the 91st minute to win 2-1.
On Sunday, the Hawkeyes traveled further south to Bloomington to take on the Hoosiers but once again left empty-handed, falling 1-0 in overtime.
“It was a tough weekend as far as results go,” Head Coach Ron Rainey said. “I am pleased with the effort we put in against two of the better teams in our conference.”
Filling In
Filling in for senior goalkeeper Lindsey Boldt, freshman Kali Feiereisel got the start in goal for last weekend’s two matches and competed like an upperclassman.
The Libertyville, IL, native made 12 total saves while going against the top of the conference’s top scoring teams.
Home Sweet Home
With five matches left on the season, the Hawkeyes will return to Iowa City this weekend for the first time since hosting Michigan on September 30.
The return to the Iowa Soccer Complex should play to the Hawkeyes’ advantages. Their record at home this season stands at 4-1-1.
“Buzz”-ing About
Iowa remained ranked at No. 11 in the Great Lakes region as released by SoccerBuzz Magazine this week. The Hawkeyes debuted this year at No. 12 after defeating Michigan on September 30.
Iowa’s appearance this seasons’ poll marks the first time the Hawkeyes had been ranked since September 10, 2003, when they were No. 10.
On The Mend
Boldt sat out last weekend’s matches against Purdue and Indiana due to a shoulder injury. Her return to action is not known. Feiereisel will see action in goal while Boldt heals up.
Freshman defender Jenna Aleo continues to recover from a foot injury and fellow freshman Mandy Heimann started six matches in her absence.
A Look Ahead…
The Hawkeyes end the season on the road, traveling to Wisconsin on October 26 and will make their Big Ten Network debut on October 28 at Northwestern. Match times are scheduled for 7 p.m. and 12 p.m. respectively.
Click HERE for the Big Ten Network home page.