Oct. 27, 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 closes the regular season Friday, hosting No. 25 Minnesota at 7 p.m. at the UI Soccer Complex. Admission is free.
Last Time Out
The Hawkeyes snapped a four-match losing streak last Sunday, defeating Wisconsin, 3-0. Junior Alexandria Seydel, sophomore Keli McLaughlin and freshman Alyssa Cosnek all scored for Iowa.
Last Friday, Iowa lost to Northwestern in double-overtime, 3-2. Senior Stephanie Hyink and freshman Sarah Langlas netted goals in the loss.
Record Breakers
Iowa’s freshmen tandem of Cosnek and Morgan Showalter etched their names into Iowa’s all-time record books on the same play Sunday against Wisconsin. Cosnek’s goal in the 17th minute was her eighth on the season, tying former Hawkeye Kate Walse for 10th on the Iowa’s all-time list for most goals in a season. The Aliquippa, PA, native also has six game-winning goals this season, tying Sarah Lynch for second all-time.
With her assist, Showalter moves into a four-way tie with former Hawkeyes Linzy Wolman, Sarah Kiefer and Julie Atkocaitis for most assists in a season (nine). Earlier this season, Showalter tied the school record for most assists in a single match, when she had three assists in the season opener Aug. 23 against Drake. Also, McLaughlin is tied for fifth all-time on Iowa’s record books for assists in a season (six).
As a team, the Hawkeyes have scored 27 goals on the season, the largest total since 2002, when they scored 28. Offensive production has gone up each year under Head Coach Ron Rainey, as Iowa has scored 11 more goals than last year and 16 more than in 2006.
Among The Conference’s Best
Several Hawkeyes find themselves among the league leaders on offense. Cosnek leads the Big Ten in game-winning goals (six) and is tied for fourth in goals (eight). Showalter is tied for second in assists (nine), while McLaughlin is tied for seventh in points (20) and tied for ninth in assists (six).
Defensively, Iowa ranks first in total saves (98), most of them from freshman goalkeeper Emily Moran, who is third in save percentage (.831) and seventh in saves (64).
Home Sweet, Home
The Hawkeyes have had a definite home field advantage this season at the UI Soccer Complex. Iowa’s seven home victories are most in school history, and it has won 12 of its last 16 matches at the UI Soccer Complex, dating back to last season. The Hawkeyes are 14-8-3 at home during Head Coach Ron Rainey’s three-year tenure.
Scouting Minnesota
Minnesota (17-2-0, 7-2-0) comes to Iowa City having won six of its last seven matches and will come to Iowa City as a nationally-ranked opponent. The No. 25 Golden Gophers defeated Wisconsin, 2-1, and Northwestern, 2-0, this past weekend. They have outscored their opponents 33-7 this season and went unbeaten at home (10-0-0).
The Golden Gophers are led offensively by seniors Lindsey Schwartz (6 G, 4 A) and Kaitlin Wagner (5 G, 4 A) and sophomore Molly Rouse (3 G, 6 A). Senior goalkeeper Lindsey Dare has been one of the Big Ten’s best keepers, corralling 43 saves and securing 14 shutouts.
Minnesota is coached by Mikki Denney Wright, who is in her sixth season. She has a career record of 51-37-6.
Iowa is 3-7-0 all-time against Minnesota, including a 1-0 win last season in Minneapolis that earned the Hawkeyes a spot in the Big Ten Tournament.
Up Next…
The Big Ten’s top eight teams invade Iowa City next week, Nov. 6-9, for the Big Ten Tournament, and Iowa will be among the teams participating. Because they are the host site, the Hawkeyes automatically gain entry to the tournament.
Iowa has made the Big Ten Tournament four times, but are winless (0-4). Last year in Minneapolis, the eighth-seeded Hawkeyes took on top-seeded Penn State, lost 3-1.