Oct. 6, 2008
- Iowa and the Big Ten Network
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
- Iowa soccer wallpaper
- Iowasoccer.com
Complete Release in PDF Format
This Week
The University of Iowa soccer team (7-5-1, 1-1-1) looks to continue its winning ways this weekend when it hosts a pair of Big Ten teams. The Hawkeyes host No. 21 Illinois Friday and conference-leader Purdue Sunday. Match times are scheduled for 7 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.
Last Time Out
Last weekend, Iowa won a pair of matches, first grinding out a Friday night win over conference foe Indiana, 1-0. Freshman forward Alyssa Cosnek scored the game-winning goal for the Hawkeyes in the 19th minute. The Hawkeyes also closed out their non-conference slate with a 3-0 victory over North Dakota State Sunday. The Black and Gold were aided by second-half goals from Cosnek, sophomore Keli McLaughlin and senior Stephanie Hyink.
Home, Sweet Home
The Hawkeyes pushed their home record to 5-1-0 following two victories last weekend. Overall, Iowa has won 10 of its last 12 matches played at the UI Soccer Complex, dating back to last season. The Hawkeyes own an all-time record of 46-41-2 at home, including a 12-6-3 record in Head Coach Ron Rainey’s three-year tenure.
Scouting Illinois
Illinois (9-4-0, 3-1-0) comes to Iowa City winners of five of its last six. They recently beat Michigan State, 3-0, and Michigan, 1-0, last weekend. They have spent part of the season in the NCAA Top 25, most recently being ranked No. 21.
The Fighting Illini have gotten off to quick starts all season, as they have outscored opponents 10-2 in the first half. Junior Chichi Nweke leads the team in goals with five.
Illinois is coached by Janet Rayfield, who is in her seventh season. She owns a career record of 126-107-17 in 12 seasons, including a mark of 81-43-10 as coach of the Fighting Illini.
The Hawkeyes are 4-9-0 all-time against Illinois, including a 6-0 loss last season in Champaign. Iowa’s last win over Illinois came in 2002.
Scouting Purdue
Purdue (9-3-2, 3-0-1) has won six of its last eight matches after downing Michigan State, 2-0, and earning a draw with Michigan, 1-1, last weekend.
Senior Felicia Schroeder and junior Loredana Riverso have combined for half of Purdue’s scoring output (12 goals). Jenny Bradfisch has been solid in goal for Purdue, who has 45 saves and four shutouts on the season.
The Boilermakers are coached by Rob Klatte, who owns a record of 116-73-9 in his ten seasons at Purdue. Iowa is 3-4-2 all-time against the Boilermakers, including a 2-1 overtime loss last season in West Lafayette.
Iowa On Big Ten Network
This Sunday’s match with Purdue will be televised on the Big Ten Network, making it the first-ever televised match at the UI Soccer Complex. Mark Neely and Kyndra de St. Aubin will have the call beginning at 1 p.m. (CST). Overall, Iowa is 0-2-0 all-time on the Network.
Iowa’s Non-Conference Success
With the win over North Dakota State, Iowa finished the 2008 non-conference slate with a record of 6-4-0, the best mark since 2002 when the Hawkeyes went 8-1-0. The Hawkeyes are unbeaten (7-0-1) against their three main in-state rivals (Iowa State, Drake, Northern Iowa) under Rainey.
Injury Update
Sophomore goalkeeper Kali Feiereisel went down with an undisclosed injury in the final minutes of the first half against North Dakota State and is expected to miss the next six weeks. Feiereisel has played in all 13 matches this season for the Hawkeyes (10 starts) and corralled 25 saves. Freshman goalkeeper Emily Moran, who split time with Feiereisel in every match this season, will likely see the bulk of the minutes in goal.
Freshman defender Suzy Levett also left Sunday’s match after catching an elbow to the face, but Rainey does not believe the injury is serious. Levett is expected to play this weekend.