Oct. 13, 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
After spending the last two weekends at home, the University of Iowa soccer team travels east for its final road trip of the season.The Hawkeyes will be in Columbus, OH, Friday to take on Ohio State before heading to Penn State to clash with the Nittany Lions Sunday.
Last Time Out
The Hawkeyes split a two-game series this past weekend, ending their four-match homestand with a record of 3-1. Iowa upended No. 16 Illinois Friday night, 1-0, ending a five-match losing streak to the Fighting Illini after a goal from redshirt junior Jackie Kaeding. The Black and Gold also made their second appearance on the Big Ten Network this season, but fell to Purdue, 2-1, Sunday afternoon. Sophomore forward Keli McLaughlin netted Iowa’s only goal and leads the team in points with 15 (five goals, five assists).
Upset Special!
Iowa’s win over then-No. 16 Illinois last Friday was the first win the Hawkeyes have had over a ranked opponent in nearly two years. The last came Oct. 20, 2006, when Iowa upset then-No. 21 Indiana, 1-0, in Iowa City. Illinois was also the highest-ranked team Iowa has beaten since downing No. 13 Dartmouth, 3-1, in 2002.
The upset of Illinois also gave the Hawkeyes their eighth win of the season, equalling last year’s win total with five matches left.
Golden In Goal
Freshman goalkeeper Emily Moran was instrumental in Iowa’s matches this past weekend. The Kent, OH, native corralled six saves against the Fighting Illini, earning her first career shutout. In Iowa’s close loss to Purdue on the Big Ten Network Sunday, Moran was active against an aggressive Boilermaker offense and pulling in a career-high 10 saves.
Moran figures to see the bulk of the playing time the rest of the season with sophomore goalkeeper Kali Feiereisel out indefinitely with an arm injury. On the season, Moran has seen time in all 15 matches, making 46 saves, while allowing only seven goals.
Home Sweet, Home
The Hawkeyes pushed their home record to 6-2-0 following a win and a loss this past weekend. Overall, Iowa has won 11 of its last 14 matches at the UI Soccer Complex, dating back to last season. The Hawkeyes are 13-7-3 at home during Head Coach Ron Rainey’s three-year tenure.
Scouting Ohio State
Ohio State (6-6-2, 3-2-0) enters Friday’s contest having lost its last two matches on the road at Michigan State and Michigan. Earlier this season, the Buckeyes won six-straight matches, dating from Sept. 19 to Oct. 5. They have been productive at home, going 5-2-2 in matches played at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
Ohio State is coached by Lori Walker, who is in her 12th season as head coach of the Buckeyes. She owns a career record of 132-115-19, including a mark of 119-92-18 at Ohio State.
Iowa is 4-6-1 all-time against Ohio State. The Hawkeyes won last year’s contest, 1-0, in overtime, in Iowa City.
Scouting Penn State
Penn State (9-6-0, 4-1-0) comes into Sunday’s match having won three of its last four matches. They play Minnesota Friday before hosting the Hawkeyes Sunday. The Nittany Lions lost to Michigan State, 3-1, Sunday in East Lansing, MI.
Penn State has won 10 straight conference championships and are led by numerous all-Big Ten selections. Katie Schoepfer (8 G, 3 A) and Zoe Bouchelle (4 G, 2 A) were both named first team all-Big Ten a year ago and Danielle Toney (6 G, 6 A) was named to the 2007 all-Big Ten Freshman team. In addition, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher (60 saves, 2 SO) is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
The Nittany Lions are coached by Erica Walsh, who is in her third season. Her career record is 58-32-5, including a mark of 18-4-2 at Penn State.
Iowa is winless in 12 tries against Penn State. The Hawkeyes played then-No. 8 Penn State tough last season in Iowa City, but fell, 1-0.