Hawkeyes Have Best Start In History

Stats

Sept. 20, 2009

Box Score | Photo Gallery 1 | Photo Gallery 2

The University of Iowa soccer team rolled over Northern Iowa, 3-0, Sunday at the Iowa Soccer Complex. The Hawkeyes recorded a win and their third consecutive shutout. The team previously held Iowa State (2-0) and UWM (4-0) scoreless. In addition, Montana and South Dakota State also failed to score in earlier wins.

Head Coach Ron Rainey and his team are 7-2, the best start in the program’s 13-year history. The 2000 squad has the second best start with a 6-3 record through nine games. The team has only allowed six goals, three coming to then No. 24 Missouri in Iowa’s season opener (3-2).

“I’m excited for the defense. They have been working very hard this season and it shows,” Rainey said. “It was great to be able to rotate a lot of people today. Our starters got some rest, and a lot of players got to see some action. The repetitions will allow those players to get better and our team to get better going into the next couple weeks.”

Every member of the team saw action in Iowa’s win, but the scoring fury in the first 18 minutes was started by senior co-captain Jackie Kaeding. The scoring play was started by Morgan Showalter, who was positioned on the right side just outside the six-yard box. The sophomore sent the ball into Kaeding who outreached two defenders for the header goal at the 3:29 mark.

In the seventh minute, Alex Seydel lined up for a corner kick on the left side. Seydel sent the ball sailing in the direction of Iowa’s leading goal scorer, Keli McLaughlin, who did not disappoint. McLaughlin fought inside the box and found the target for the second Iowa score.

Jade Grimm took aim at the net in the 10th minute, but Northern Iowa goalkeeper Lauren Potzman made the save.

UNI set up for a corner kick in the 18th minute, but as soon as the ball found the grass, McLaughlin took control. Alyssa Cosnek moved up the field with McLaughlin and they passed back and forth from the 18-yard box around the goalkeeper, with McLaughlin netting the ball at 17:49.

Amanda Martin had an opportunity in the 31st minute but her shot was stopped just short of the goal. A slew of shots before the end of the first half was led by co-captain Heather Windsor, but the attempts were either blocked or just outside the net.

UNI narrowly escaped two more Iowa goals in the 47th and 49th minutes. Kim White and Stefani Campbell both had shots that were just above the crossbar.

As players rotated, Iowa continued to attack the net. UNI couldn’t catch its breath as Rainey’s squad didn’t miss a beat with new players coming and going. Twelve Hawkeyes took shots and two others recorded assists. Sunday’s matchup truly showed Iowa’s depth at every position, as every member of the squad recorded minutes, including all five goalkeepers.

McLaughlin led Iowa’s efforts with two shots, both on goal, and both scoring. Emily Moran adds the Iowa win to her already impressive resume, while Erica Clausen and Kali Feiereisel both had saves while in goal.

Iowa travels to Minnesota next week to face the Golden Gophers. The matchup will take place Sept. 24 with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.