Women's Soccer Hosts DePaul in Season Opener

Aug. 18, 2010

This Week
The University of Iowa soccer team kicks off its 2010 season Friday night at the Iowa Soccer complex at 7 p.m. The Hawkeyes host the DePaul Blue Demons in their home opener.

Scouting DePaul
DePaul finished the 2009 season 10-9-2 under third year Head Coach Erin Chastain. Despite being picked to finish last in the preseason coaches poll, the Blue Demons advanced to the Big East Tournament for the first time in program history. The team returns 10 of its 11 starters from the breakout 2009 squad, including leading scorer Tara Strickland. The senior midfielder scored seven times for the Blue Demons and assisted six goals. Friday nights match marks the first time the two teams have met.

Last Season
The Hawkeyes are returning to action with nine of their 11 starters from the 9-11 team. The Hawkeyes started last season with a program best 8-2 start, including seven wins in Iowa City, tieing the program’s highest number of home wins in a season.

Rainey is Winningest Coach
Head Coach Ron Rainey led the team to nine wins, giving him 32 wins in his four season, the most of any head coach at Iowa. Notable Iowa wins posted last season were over in-state rivals Iowa State and Northern Iowa as well as Drake, earning the mythical state crown. The Black and Gold also downed Michigan on senior night.

Showalter Named All-League
Morgan Showalter was one of the Iowa soccer players to compete throughout the summer for the Iowa Rush women’s soccer team based in Des Moines, IA. Showalter, a junior, was named to the Women’s Premies Soccer League all-WPSL Third Team. The Cedar Rapids native played in five games, recording two goals and one assist. Showalter was joined by fellow Hawkeyes Kat Lewis, Emily Moran and Stephanie Swanson on the Iowa Rush roster.

Friday Night Tailgate
The University of Iowa Athletic Department is hosting a pre-game tailgate at the Iowa Soccer Complex Friday night. As the Black and Gold prepare for 9 home matches in 2010, fan support is a key component to the team’s success. For the first game, in the hour leading up to the opening game, Iowa Sports Marketing is giving away two sets of Hawkeye tailgating gear to fans who arrive early. There will also be inflatable games in the parking lot and door prizes to be given out throughout the match. Another great chance to win with the Hawkeyes is the Apple iPad drawing. This year, every event attended at the Iowa Soccer Complex gets you closer to an Apple iPad! For every match attended fans will receive one punch on a personal Hawkeye punch card. Each punch equals one entry into the year-end iPad drawing!

Hawkeyes on the BTN
The Hawkeyes will make their lone appearance on the Big Ten Network on October 24 when they entertain Indiana at 2 p.m.

Newcomers
Allie Adam, a midfielder from Omaha, NE. Adam played her freshman season at Loyola-Chicago, recording minutes in 20 of 22 matches.
Ashley Catrell, a forward from Overland Park, KS. Catrell helped her Blue Valley West high school team to a 6A State Championship in 2009 and 2010.
Allex Strang, a defender from Iowa City, IA. Strang scored 50 goals during her four-year career on the Iowa City West soccer team.
Leah DeMoss, a forward from St. Charles, IL. DeMoss holds two school records at St. Charles North High for most goals and most assists in a single season.
Katie Nasenbenny, a midfielder from LaGrange, IL. Nasenbenny was a three-time all-conference selection from Lyons Township High School.
Alex Melin, a defender from Verona, WI. Melin was the first player to be named the Verona High School team captain for three consecutive years.
Jess Yagla, a forward from Iowa City, IA. Yagla led the City High soccer team in assists during her freshman season and in goals her sophomore season.

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