Aug. 18, 2011
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Editor’s Note: The following first appeared in the University of Iowa’s Hawk Talk Daily, an e-newsletter that offers a daily look at the Iowa Hawkeyes, delivered free each morning to thousands of fans of the Hawkeyes worldwide.
By BRADY JOHNSON
IOWA CITY, Iowa — As much as her teammates and coaches may want it not to be so, senior goalkeeper Emily Moran won’t be between the posts forever for the University of Iowa women’s soccer team.
So as the senior leader, who has started 49 of a possible 62 games since stepping foot on campus, looks to lead this team for one last hurrah, there will be one more role for Moran to take this year besides keeping the ball out of the net — teaching.
With two freshman goalkeepers on the roster, Moran finds herself in a position to not only lead the Hawkeyes on the field, but also pass on her vast knowledge to freshman goalkeepers Caitlin Schnorbach and Kiley Beck.
“This (teaching) is something that is important to me, because I want to pass on what previous keepers here like Kali (Feiereisel), Erica (Clausen) and Stephanie (Swanson) did for me,” said Moran, who has started every game the past two seasons. “It’s nice to be in a role to help teach them our ways and how we do things here at Iowa, and I look forward to sharing what I’ve learned with them.”
With a long resume of accolades and shutouts, Schnorbach and Beck have a lot of valuable learning to look forward to.
Moran is second for career saves in program history with 263, runner-up to only Britta Vogele’s 489 (2001-04). She is also one victory away from tying Vogele for most career victories (23). The explosive goalkeeper’s mark of 99 saves last season was also sixth in school history for saves in a season.
Schnorbach, of Edina, Minn., had rave reviews on the benefits of having a veteran goalkeeper to learn from.
“I really look up to Emily, especially as a goalkeeper,” said Schnorbach, an all-conference and all-state selection at Edina High School, where she allowed only 15 goals through four years. “She has done great things on this team, and I really want to follow in her footsteps. My goal is to take as much knowledge from the coaches, Emily and all the upperclassmen, and really go with it.”
Beck, of Rockford, Ill., also voiced praise for Moran.
“I think she (Moran) has been starting since she was a sophomore, so she has a lot of experience,” said Beck, a two-time all-conference selection at Boylan Central Catholic. “It’s the first week and a half of practice right now, and we’ve already learned so much from her.”
Head coach Ron Rainey, in his sixth year at the helm of the program, expects Moran to also benefit from her relationship with the younger keepers.
“This is a great situation for Emily,” he said. “Both Kiley and Caitlin are very competitive, so that has been good with all three of them competing together and learning from each other. I think this a good step for Emily as a goalkeeper to be able to help a couple young players with the training mentality and the level you have to be at every day to be successful.”
Moran was also excited to have two players at the same position to push her through competition.
“There’s also an aspect to it where we all can help push each other,” said Moran. “It’s great to have more teammates at this spot to train with now.”
The trio of goalkeepers combined for a shutout in Iowa’s 6-0 exhibition victory over Drake last Saturday as Moran got the start, while Schnorbach and Kiley came in for relief.
With high expectations for Iowa at goalkeeper and as a team, Moran can’t wait to kick off the 2011 season, which starts this Friday in Chicago against DePaul.
“I think we have very good potential throughout our roster,” said Moran. “We have the talent to make things happen this season, and that’s exactly what I think we will do.”