June 3, 2009
- Iowa and the Big Ten Network
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
- Iowa soccer wallpaper
- Iowasoccer.com
IOWA CITY – The 2009 schedule has been released for the University of Iowa soccer team, the announcement coming Wednesday from Head Coach Ron Rainey. Seven of Iowa’s first nine matches will take place in the confines of the UI Soccer Complex, where the Hawkeyes won a school record seven times last season.
The season officially kicks off Aug. 21, when the Hawkeyes host Missouri at the UI Soccer Complex. After welcoming Montana (Aug. 28), Iowa will look for a measure of revenge against South Dakota State (Aug. 30), following a 2-1 loss suffered at the hands of the Jackrabbits last year.
Over Labor Day weekend, the Hawkeyes travel to Flagstaff, AZ, to compete in the Northern Arizona Tournament. Iowa will face off against Northern Arizona (Sept. 4) and New Mexico (Sept. 6).
The Hawkeyes return home for four straight home matches, highlighted by Loyola (Sept. 11), UW-Milwaukee (Sept. 13) and in-state rivals Iowa State (Sept. 18) and Northern Iowa (Sept. 20). Since Rainey’s arrival at Iowa in 2006, the Hawkeyes are unbeaten in matches against their in-state foes, going 7-0-1 in a three-year span.
Iowa opens up Big Ten Conference play on the road against Minnesota (Sept. 24) before having their final non-conference matchup of the season at Drake (Sept. 30). The Hawkeyes are 4-5-3 all-time in conference openers.
After hosting Wisconsin (Oct. 4), Iowa goes right back out on the road, visiting Ohio State (Oct. 9) and Penn State (Oct. 11). Four of Iowa’s last six matches are at home, beginning with Illinois (Oct. 18) and Northwestern (Oct. 22). Iowa knocked off nationally-ranked Illinois, 1-0, in Iowa City last season.
The Hawkeyes visit Indiana (Oct. 25) before returning for the final home weekend of the season, hosting Michigan (Oct. 30) and Michigan State (Nov. 1). Iowa closes the season out at Purdue (Nov. 7).
In 2008, Iowa finished with a record of 9-11-1 and a 3-6-1 mark in conference play. Six of Iowa’s conference losses last season came by only one goal (two in OT), leading Rainey to believe his team is primed to break out.
“We are excited about our 2009 schedule,” Rainey said. “We have eight teams on it with NCAA Tournament experience from last year which will challenge us immensely. Our team has a mixture of youth and experience and we look forward to continue to progress against both non-conference and Big Ten opponents.”
Aug. 21 MISSOURI 7 p.m.
Aug. 28 MONTANA 7 p.m.
Aug. 30 SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 1 p.m.
Sept. 4 at N. Arizona (NAU Tournament) 7 p.m.
Sept. 6 vs. New Mexico (NAU Tournament) 11 a.m.
Sept. 11 LOYOLA 7 p.m.
Sept. 13 UW-MILWAUKEE 1 p.m.
Sept. 18 IOWA STATE 7 p.m.
Sept. 20 NORTHERN IOWA 1 p.m.
Sept. 24 at Minnesota 7 p.m.
Sept. 30 at Drake 7 p.m.
Oct. 4 WISCONSIN 1 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Ohio State 7 p.m.
Oct. 11 at Penn State 11 a.m.
Oct. 17 ILLINOIS 7 p.m.
Oct. 22 NORTHWESTERN 7 p.m.
Oct. 25 at Indiana 1 p.m.
Oct. 30 MICHIGAN 7 p.m.
Nov. 1 MICHIGAN STATE 1 p.m.
Nov. 7 at Purdue 1 p.m.