Oct. 10, 2008
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IOWA CITY, IA – The University of Iowa soccer team notched its first win over a ranked opponent in nearly two years Friday night, knocking off No. 16 Illinois (9-5-0, 3-2-0), 1-0, on “Senior Night” at the UI Soccer Complex. With the win, Iowa has equaled last year’s win total, improving its record to 8-5-1, including a 2-1-1 mark in Big Ten Conference play. Friday’s win also snapped a five-match losing streak against Illinois, dating back to 2002.
Iowa’s last win over a ranked opponent came October 20, 2006, when it defeated No. 21 Indiana, 1-0. The win over the Fighting Illini is also the highest-ranked team Iowa has beaten since downing No. 13 Dartmouth, 3-1, in 2002.
“It was an unbelievable team effort tonight for us,” said Head Coach Ron Rainey. “Our defense played as well as it has played all year, but everyone was just in sync tonight.”
Rainey moved defender Jackie Kaeding from defender to forward in the middle of the first half and the move paid off. The redshirt junior from Coralville, IA, broke a scoreless tie in the 20th minute to net her first goal of the season off an assist from sophomore forward Keli McLaughlin. Kaeding spent the previous two years in Iowa’s midfield, scoring four goals, before making the full-time transition to defender this past off-season.
“Keli gave me a great pass and I got a little room to move with the ball,” Kaeding said. “I saw I had a little separation from the goalkeeper and just put it in.”
Freshman goalkeeper Emily Moran turned in a terrific performance in goal. The Kent, OH, native earned her first career shutout and made six saves in the process. The Hawkeye back line, consisting of sophomores Mandy Heimann, Jenna Aleo, and freshmen Rachel Blakesley and Suzy Levett, were also instrumental in the shutout, continually fending off any Fighting Illini scoring chances.
Iowa will look to keep the wins coming this Sunday when it hosts Purdue at 1 p.m. The match will be televised on the Big Ten Network, making it the first-ever televised match to take place at the UI Soccer Complex. Iowa boasts an impressive 6-1-0 record at home this season.
Iowa 1, No. 16 Illinois 0
Scoring SummaryNo. Team Time Goal Scorer (Season Goals) Assist(s)1. IOWA 19:25 Jackie Kaeding (1) Keli McLaughlin
Shots: Illinois 10, Iowa 5
Corners: Illinois 6, Iowa 2
Fouls: Illinois 13, Iowa 13
Saves: Iowa (Emily Moran, 6), Illinois (Alexandra Kapicka, 3)
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