Aug. 24, 2010
This Week
The University of Iowa soccer team hosts the Iowa Tournament at the Iowa Soccer Complex. Central Michigan, Northern Illinois and Northern Iowa are all traveling to Iowa City to compete in the first ever Iowa Tournament.
The tournament will kick off with Central Michigan facing Northern Iowa at 4:30 Friday afternoon. Iowa versus Northern Illinois follows at 7 p.m. Play will resume Sunday morning at 11 a.m. with Northern Illinois facing Northern Iowa, followed by Iowa versus Central Michigan at 1:30 p.m.
Gametracker links will be available for all four games on the women’s soccer schedule page of hawkeyesports.com.
Scouting The Opponents
Northern Illinois finished the 2009 season 5-11-3 overall and 1-7-3 in the Mid-American Conference. The Huskies’ leading scorer, Kelsey Passaglia, returns for her junior season after scoring three goals and recording one assist during her sophomore campaign.
At the helm for NIU is Carrie Barker. The Wisconsin graduate is entering her third season as head coach.
Central Michigan went 17-4-3 in 2009 under second-year head coach Tom Anagnost. The Chippewas recorded a near perfect 9-0-2 season in their Mid-American Conference regular season and conference championship bids, the first MAC championship in school history.
Over the last 21 games, Central Michigan is 17-1-3, with its only loss coming to Notre Dame in the second round of the NCAA tournament last season. Notre Dame advanced to the 2009 College Cup. The Chippewas defeated Big Ten opponent, Purdue, in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
CMU was lead by freshman phenom, Laura Twidle with seven goals and two assists. This years leading scorers through two games are Nicole Samuel and Chelsi Abbott with one goal each.
Last Week
The Hawkeyes dropped their season opener last Friday to DePaul, 2-0.
Rainey is Winningest Coach
Head Coach Ron Rainey led the team to nine wins last year, giving him 32 wins in his four seasons, 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 Premier 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.
Support The Hawkeyes
The University of Iowa Athletic Department is giving away free t-shirts Friday and Sunday at the Iowa Soccer Complex.
Friday night, Hawkeye fans are encouraged to support the women’s soccer team by wearing black as part of a “Blackout”. Fans will also receive a Big Ten Network t-shirt.
Sunday, fans will get a free Iowa Soccer t-shirt to support the team.
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.