Hawkeyes Knock Off Drake, 1-0

Sept. 30, 2009

DES MOINES, IA – The University of Iowa women’s soccer team improved to 8-3 overall with a 1-0 win at Drake Wednesday night. With the win, the Hawkeyes claim the mythical state title for the 2009 season, after knocking off all three in-state foes (Iowa State 2-0, Northern Iowa 3-0, Drake 1-0).

The win also marks the first one-goal win of the season for the Hawkeyes. All three of Iowa’s losses have been by just a single goal.

“We had some good possession tonight,” Head Coach Ron Rainey said. “We really did a nice job of holding the ball through the midfield, but we would have liked to create more chances. Give Drake a lot of credit, they defended very well for the entire game.”

Drake was the first to threaten, with shots on target in the 29th and 39th minute, but sophomore goalkeeper Emily Moran was equal to the task, recording saves on both shots. Iowa countered with a shot on goal by freshman Alyscha Mottershead, but the ball was saved and the first half ended scoreless.

The Bulldogs came close to an early second half lead when a shot caromed off the crossbar and fell for a rebound, but Moran once again came up with a save to preserve the shutout.

Senior Jackie Kaeding entered the game in the 69th minute as a substitute and wasted no time in making an impact, scoring the game’s only goal just one minute later. In the 70th minute, Mottershead found Kaeding, who rocketed a shot to the top-right corner of the goal, giving the Hawkeyes a 1-0 lead. The goal was Kaeding’s second of the season.

Iowa nearly added a late insurance goal when junior Keli McLaughlin fired a shot that hit the post, but couldn’t get the friendly bounce.

Moran was once again solid for Iowa between the posts, stopping four shots for her fifth shutout of the season.

Mottershead is now tied for the team lead in assists with sophomore Alyssa Cosnek with four. Mottershead also led the team Wednesday night with four shots, one of which was on target.

The Hawkeyes return to action Sunday against Wisconsin at 1 p.m. The game will be televised live on the Big Ten Network.

“We are really looking forward to getting back into conference play,” Rainey said. “This was a good result for us tonight, and we hope to take the momentum into Sunday against Wisconsin on the Big Ten Network.”