Aug. 25, 2008
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This Week
The University of Iowa soccer team concludes its season-opening homestand this weekend when they host a pair of teams from the Summit League. The Hawkeyes host Western Illinois Friday at 7 p.m. and South Dakota Sunday at 1 p.m. Both matches will take place at the UI Soccer Complex.
Scouting Western Illinois
Western Illinois had a 16-3-1 record in 2007, including being named Summit League champions. The Westerwinds return 13 letterwinners and seven starters.
Western Illinois is coached by Tony Guinn, who is in his second season as head coach. He holds a career record of 46-23-5 in five seasons.
Three Western Illinois players hail from the state of Iowa: juniors Andrea Cain (Grimes) and Keeley Murray (Bettendorf) and freshman Erin Fennelly (Davenport) will all return to the Hawkeye State Friday.
Iowa is 1-0-0 all-time against Western Illinois. The two teams played to a scoreless draw in an exhibition last season in Iowa City.
Scouting South Dakota State
South Dakota State opened its season last Sunday in Omaha, Neb., falling to Creighton, 3-2, in double overtime.
The Jackrabbits are coached by Lang Wedemeyer, who is in his ninth season. Wedemeyer owns a career record of 63-68-16.
Senior Erin Kasmarik and sophomore Danni Healy scored goals against Creighton. Senior goalkeeper Nicole Lograsso made two saves in the loss.
Iowa is 1-0-0 all-time against South Dakota State. The Hawkeyes won 3-2 last season in Brookings, S.D.
Last Time Out
The Hawkeyes opened their 2008 season last Saturday with a win, over Drake at the UI Soccer Complex. The victory was Iowa’s fourth, all-time, over Drake and was the first season-opening win since 2002.
Freshmen Sensations
All nine of Iowa’s freshmen played in the match. Celebrating her 19th birthday Saturday, forward Alyssa Cosnek scored two goals in the first 20 minutes. Midfielder Sarah Langlas came off the bench to net a goal in the 30th minute.
Midfielder Morgan Showalter was credited with three assists and forward Kelsey Sandon also had one. Goalkeeper Emily Moran played the entire second half.
Also seeing playing time was midfielder Rachel Blakesley, who started the match, while Alli Bellmer, Suzy Levett and Gabrielle Tinner came off the bench.
Showalter Ties Record
With three assists Saturday, Showalter tied an 11-year old Iowa record for most individual assists in a match. The record originally belonged to former Hawkeye Jenna Sorenson (1997).
Showalter, a freshman from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, scored 107 goals and 84 assists during her high school career at Xavier.
On The Defensive
The Iowa defense did not allow Drake anything offensively Saturday. Sophomore defenders Mandy Heimann and Jenna Aleo repeatedly cut off the outsides, while newly-converted junior defender Jackie Kaeding patrolled the defensive midfield.
Sophomore Kali Feiereisel got the start in goal and made three saves enroute to her first shutout of the season.
Attendance Figures
Over 700 fans came out to witness Iowa’s opener last Saturday, making it one of the biggest crowds for a home match in the program’s history.
The Hawkeyes averaged 389 fans per match last season.
Quoting Head Coach Ron Rainey
“The win was a great start to our season. We’ve got a lot of room for improvement on both sides of the ball. We need to be ready to face two pretty good soccer teams this weekend.”