Sept. 2, 2009
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch (2009-10 season)
- Iowa and the Big Ten Network
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- Iowa soccer wallpaper
- Iowasoccer.com
This Week
The University of Iowa soccer team travels to Flagstaff, AZ, to compete in the ninth annual Mountain Classic. The Hawkeyes will take on New Mexico Friday at 6 p.m. (CT) and Northern Arizona Sunday at 3 p.m.
Scouting the Opponents
New Mexico is undefeated after its first three games this season. The Lobos recorded wins over Idaho State (2-0), CS Bakersfield (2-0) and Illinois State (6-2). New Mexico’s Jennifer Williams leads the team with four goals and two assists.
The Lobos’ goalkeeper, Kelli Cornell, is a freshman and has played all three games so far. She has made 11 saves.
Northern Arizona is led by sophomore Lauren Zallis, who has three of the team’s four goals through the first four matches. Time in the net for Head Coach Andre Luciano’s team has been split between senior Penny Short and sophomores Natasha Slaughter and Tori Rocke. Slaughter has recorded 13 saves.
Last Season
The Hawkeyes have never faced New Mexico or Northern Arizona.
Penalty Kick
Alex Seydel has recorded two goals off penalty kicks this season. The first came against No. 24 Missouri in Iowa’s season opener, and the second was converted in a game against South Dakota State (Aug. 30).
Seydel scored in the 2008 season against Missouri off a converted penalty kick, as well. The senior has scored five goals in her career at Iowa, three off PKs.
Showalter Sets the Bar High
For the third consecutive game, Morgan Showalter scored for Iowa. Showalter has recorded goals in each of Iowa’s three games this season.
Showalter, a native of Cedar Rapids, holds the season individual assist record with nine from her freshman campaign. She also leads the individual assists in a match category with three.
At this rate, Showalter is on track to etch her name into another record category for Iowa. She is just two assists shy of fifth place on the career assist leaders list, and six goals shy of eighth place on the season individual goals list.
In Goal
Emily Moran has continued her success in goal for the Hawkeyes. The sophomore from Kent, OH, recorded two shutouts in consecutive matches. Moran won two, 2-0, decisions against Montana and South Dakota State.
The two games Moran held the opponents scoreless are her third and fourth shutout of her career. Moran was named to the Big Ten all-Freshmen team last season after making 74 saves in her freshman campaign.
Iowa Outworks Opponents
Iowa’s statistics show how hard the players work through all 90 minutes. The Hawkeyes have outscored their opponents 6-3, with four of Iowa’s goals coming in the second period.
The Hawkeyes have also outshot their opponents 39 to 24 with nearly half of Iowa’s shots being on goal. The team averages two goals per game, while Moran and the Hawkeye defense has held opponents to an average of one goal per game.
Hawkeyes on the BTN
The Hawkeyes will make their lone appearance on the Big Ten Network on October 4 when they entertain Wisconsin at 1 p.m.
Iowa Welcomes New Assistant
Head Coach Ron Rainey welcomes a new assistant this season. Shane Meridith joins Iowa’s coaching staff from Miami of Ohio.
The Earlham alum has an array of coaching experience with previous time spent as head coach of the Carmel United Soccer Club and Earlham. He also held positions at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the Region II United States Youth Soccer Federation.
Up Next For Iowa
After competing in the Labor Day weekend tournament in Flagstaff, Ron Rainey and his team will return to the Iowa Soccer Complex for a faceoff against Loyola-Chicago Sept. 11.
The Hawkeyes welcome Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Sept. 13), and in-state foes Iowa State (Sept. 18) and Northern Iowa (Sept. 20) to complete their four game home stand in Iowa City.
Opponents In The Rankings
The Hawkeyes schedule this season is full of tough competition. Head Coach Ron Rainey’s squad faces four ranked teams.
Iowa opened its season with No. 24 Missouri in Iowa City. The team will travel to No. 19 Minnesota on Sept. 24 before facing back-to-back ranked foes No. 12 Penn State in University Park Oct. 11 and No. 17 Illinois in Iowa City Oct. 17.