Iowa Hosts Western Illinois Under the Lights

Aug. 23, 2011

Complete Release in PDF Format

This Week
The University of Iowa soccer team plays host to the Western Illinois Fighting Leathernecks Friday night at the Iowa Soccer Complex. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Fans should arrive early because the UI Department of Athletics is giving away Iowa soccer koozies to the first 200 fans.

Scouting The Opponents
The Leathernecks will look to sophomore Jordan Spaciel to guide the offensive attack. Spaciel was second in goals scored in 2010, netting four goals. The midfielder also tallied one assist.

In goal for Western Illinois will be freshman Victoria Kappel. The newcomer earned the shutout win over Mississippi Valley Aug. 21, playing 86 minutes and making one save.

At the helm for the Leathernecks is Tony Guinn. The fifth year head coach led the team to a 10-6-5 record in 2010. Throughout his tenure, Guinn has guided the team to a 23-9-2 record in Summit League play.

Last Week
The women’s soccer team opened the regular season in Chicago, Ill., facing DePaul. The Hawkeyes were led by the underclassmen’s efforts on the offensive side of play and looked to senior goalkeeper Emily Moran to anchor the defense. Sophomore Alex Melin scored the first of Iowa’s three goals from 20 yards out late in the first half, while freshman Cloe Lacasse netted the finals two goals of the game, finalizing the score at 3-0.

Moran was credited with four saves and earned the 14th shutout victory of her career.

The Hawkeyes faced Southeast Missouri State last Sunday afternoon at the Iowa Soccer Complex. Iowa came out on top, 2-1, in a physical match.

Sophomore Katie Nasenbenny scored both goals. Nasenbenny tallied the game-winner with a rebound on a missed penalty kick.

Moran Sets School Record
The senior from Kent, Ohio became Iowa’s career wins leader with 24 after earning two victories over the weekend.

Moran topped former Hawkeye keeper Britta Vogele who collected 23 victories between 2001-04.

The senior has made 271 saves in 63 games played and recorded 14 shutouts.

Senior Earns Conference Honor
Moran was honored by the Big Ten Conference with the Defensive Player of the Week distinction.

Moran earned the nod for her efforts in Iowa’s shutout win over DePaul and a 2-1 defeat of SEMO. In addition to the 2-0 record thus far, Moran etched her name atop the programs all-time career wins (24).

Lacasse Has Immediate Impact
Freshman Cloe Lacasse didn’t waste any time making an impact on the Iowa soccer team. The Sudbury, Ontario, native has started both games of the season and used her skillful footwork to hit the net twice in the first game.

With the pair of goals, Lacasse became the first freshman to score in the first game of the season since teammate Alyssa Cosnek picked up a pair of scores in her first collegiate game, a 4-0 win over Drake, in 2008.

Nasenbenny Makes Strong Return
The sophomore returned to the field with the start of the 2011 season, putting last year’s season-ending knee injury far behind her.

Nasenbenny didn’t miss a beat as she started both games of the opening weekend. The LaGrange, Ill. native, recorded one shot in Iowa’s 3-0 win over DePaul, but led the Hawkeyes’ offense in a close 2-1 victory over Southeast Missouri State. Nasenbenny hit the net twice and recorded four shots.

Newcomers
Caitlin Schnorbach, one of two incoming goalkeepers, is from Edina, Minn. Schnorbach recorded 21 career shutouts and did not allow a single goal during her sophomore campaign.

Nicole Urban, a forward from Lisle, Ill., holds three school records, including career goals (105), goals in a single season (41) and points in a single season (101) following her career at Lisle High School.

Caitlin Brown, a defender from Ann Arbor, Mich., is a two-time all-state selection and three-time all-Catholic and all-district honoree.

Marissa Hurt, a defender from Ankeny, Iowa., was a member of the Ankeny girl’s soccer team that was a three-time conference champion.

Anne Marie Thomas, a defender from Kentworth, Ill., competed on the New Trier lacrosse team that posted a perfect 24-0 record.

Abby Zimmerman, a forward from Bettendorf, Iowa., was her high school team’s leader in scoring and assists for three years.

Cloe Lacasse, a forward from Sudbury, Ontario., was named the Female Athlete of the Year by her high school and the city of Sudbury.

Jordan Rakas, a defender from Holt, Mich., was a four-time all-conference selection as well as her team’s MVP and captain for two seasons.

Melanie Pickert, a defender from Canton, Mich., was a three-time all-state selection for her efforts on the Canton High School girl’s soccer team.

Kiley Beck, one of two incoming goalkeepers, is from Rockford, Ill., where she posted a .952 goals against average following her junior year.