Oct. 22, 2007
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This Week
With three matches left on the season, the University of Iowa soccer team hits the road this week, visiting Wisconsin and Northwestern for a Friday/Sunday match slate. Friday night’s match in Madison is set for a 7 p.m. start time and Sunday afternoon’s match is scheduled for a noon start time.
Scouting Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Badgers enter Friday night’s match sporting a record of 5-9-1 (1-6-0 Big Ten). They were defeated by Michigan and Michigan State last weekend.
The Badgers are led, offensively, by junior Taylor Walsh, who has started all 14 matches and recorded four goals. Junior goalkeeper Jamie Klages has started every match this season for Wisconsin, and has five shutouts.
Wisconsin is coached by Paula Wilkins, who has a career record of 124-26-12. Wilkins is in her first season as Badgers head coach. She spent six seasons with Penn State.
Iowa is 2-6, all-time, against Wisconsin, including a 1-0 loss last season.
Scouting Northwestern
Northwestern will host the Hawkeyes with a 7-5-4 (2-3-2) record.
Seniors Kelsey Hans and Shannon Schneeman have recorded 14 of Northwestern’s 24 goals. Senior goalkeeper Lauren Johnston was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week last week after recording shutouts against Michigan State and Michigan.
Iowa holds an all-time record of 3-6-1 versus the Wildcats, including a 1-0 loss last season.
Last Week
The Hawkeyes finished their 2007 home-slate last weekend in dramatic fashion.
After falling to No. 8 Penn State 1-0 on Friday, the Hawkeyes stormed back on Sunday against Ohio State with a 1-0 overtime victory. Senior Sarah Stephenson scored the game-winning goal in the 100th minute.
“Buzz”-ing About
Iowa moved up in the SoccerBuzz poll last week, vaulting to ninth in the Great Lakes region. The Hawkeyes debuted this year at No. 12 after defeating Michigan on September 30.
The ranking is Iowa’s highest in the poll since 2002.
Filling In
Freshman Kali Feiereisel earned her first career victory, and shutout, in Iowa’s 1-0 overtime victory over Ohio State last weekend.
Starting for senior Lindsey Boldt, Feiereisel was tested against the Buckeyes, but made five saves to keep the shutout intact.
Senior Day
Before last Sunday’s match against Ohio State, the Hawkeyes honored nine seniors for their time and dedication to Iowa soccer.
Along with Boldt and Stephenson, Abby Gierke, Kelsie Full, Megan Love, Ashley Schleueter, Melisa Kaetterhenry, Kim Lewis and Claire Goldenberg were announced at midfield prior to the start of the match.
More Milestones
The win over Ohio State was huge for the Iowa’s soccer program and added more milestones to a remarkable second season from Head Coach Ron Rainey.
The victory marked Iowa’s first victory over the Buckeyes since 2002 and gave the Hawkeyes their third conference win, which was the most in five years. Iowa finished with a 5-2-1 record at the UI Soccer Complex in 2007.
Big Stage
The Hawkeyes will make their Big Ten Network debut Sunday at Northwestern. The match will be on tape delay to be shown Monday October 29 at 7 p.m. (CST).
A Look Ahead…
Next week, Iowa heads north to conclude its season at Minnesota. Match time is scheduled for 7 p.m. on November 2.
Click HERE for the Big Ten Network home page.