Aug. 18, 2008
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- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
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This Week
The University of Iowa soccer squad will open its 2008 season Saturday when it hosts the Drake Bulldogs at the Iowa Soccer Complex. Match time is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
Scouting Drake
Drake finished the 2007 season with a record of 7-10-2, including a 3-3-0 record in the Missouri Valley Conference. They return 14 letterwinners, including seven starters.
The Bulldogs are coached by Lindsay Horner, who is entering her first season as head coach. She had spent the last five years as an assistant.
Junior Crystal Townley returns for Drake after scoring seven goals in 19 matches (six starts) last season. Also returning is junior goalkeeper Jenny Schroeder, who made six saves in last season’s matchup with the Hawkeyes.
Iowa defeated Drake 1-0 last season in Des Moines and is 3-0-0 all-time against the Bulldogs.
Last Season
Iowa finished the 2007 season with a record of 8-8-4, including a berth to the Big Ten Tournament (first since 2001). The Hawkeyes’ record marked the first time since 2002 Iowa had a record of .500 or better.
Coming Back
The Hawkeyes return their top four scorers from last season in seniors Stephanie Hyink (3 G, 1 A) and Kelsey Shaw (2 G, 2 A) and juniors Jackie Kaeding (3 G, 1 A) and Alexandria Seydel (1 G, 4 A).
As a team, Iowa returns 14 letterwinners and four starters. Also returning are sophomores Jenna Aleo, Mandy Heimann and Amanda Martin, all of whom started more than nine games last season.
In goal, sophomore Kali Feiereisel will compete with freshman Emily Moran for the starting job at goalkeeper. Feiereisel played in nine matches last season (six starts), making 37 saves.
Postseason Play
With Iowa’s win at Minnesota last year, the Hawkeyes clinched their first Big Ten Tournament berth since 2001. The eighth-seeded Hawkeyes fell to top-seeded Penn State, 3-1, in Minneapolis, MN.
Perfect Streak
Iowa won six-straight matches from Sept. 14 to Sept. 30. The Hawkeyes also had an eight-match unbeaten streak (6-0-2), from Sept. 9 to Oct. 7, which is also a school record.
Getting Noticed
After a five-year absence, the Hawkeyes re-appeared in the weekly polls from SoccerBuzz Magazine. Iowa debuted at No. 12 in the Great Lakes region following a 1-0 win over Michigan and, ultimately, ended the season at No. 11.
The Hawkeyes’ 2008 recruiting class also made the SoccerBuzz rankings, rated at No. 55 in the nation. Two incoming freshmen, goalkeeper Emily Moran and defender Morgan Showalter, were ranked among the Top 200 recruits in the nation, coming in at No. 132 and No. 190, respectively. The 2008 ranking is Iowa’s highest rating since 1999, when the Hawkeyes’ class was rated 35th.
Home Sweet Home
The Hawkeyes were 5-2-1 last season at the UI Soccer Complex, the best mark at home since 2002. Iowa will have 11 home matches in 2008, as well as hosting the Big Ten Tournament in November.
Newcomers
Allison Bellmer, a forward from Wheaton, IL. Bellmer was a three-time all-conference selection.
Rachel Blakesley, a midfielder from Peoria, IL. Blakesley was a two-time IHSSCA all-state selection.
Alyssa Cosnek, a forward from Aliquippa, PA. Cosnek holds her high school record for most career goals (85).
Sarah Langlas, a defender from Wheaton, IL. Langlas was team captain as a senior.
Suzy Levett, a defender from Cedar Rapids, IA. Levett scored 94 goals and had 36 assists during her high school career.
Emily Moran, a goalkeeper from Kent, OH. Moran was a member of Ohio’s Olympic Development Program for seven years.
Kim Olsen, a forward from Providence, UT. Olsen transferred to Iowa after two seasons at Iowa Western C.C. and will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Kelsey Sandon, a midfielder/forward from Urbandale, IA. Sandon was a three-time all-state selection.
Morgan Showalter, a midfielder from Cedar Rapids, IA. Showalter helped lead Xavier H.S. to four state championships and was a two-time Player of the Year.
Gabrielle Tinner, a defender from Quantico, VA. Tinner was team captain and MVP as a senior.