Aug. 19, 2012
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IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa women’s soccer team posted its second shutout of the weekend with a decisive victory over North Dakota at the Iowa Soccer Complex Sunday afternoon. The Hawkeyes (2-0-0) beat North Dakota (0-2-0) 3-0 to stay perfect on the season.
The Hawkeyes out-shot North Dakota 21-5 to earn its tenth consecutive non-conference victory. Sophomore Cloe Lacasse, freshman Brooke Backes and junior Ashley Catrell all scored goals while freshman goalkeeper Hannah Clark notched her second straight shutout.
“There were a lot of good things this weekend, and definitely some things we can improve upon, which is always the case after the opening weekend,” said head coach Ron Rainey. “Looking forward, we’re hoping to get a great week of practice now before the Loyola match.”
The Hawkeyes nearly made good from a corner in the seventh minute of play, as senior Jade Grimm sent a threatening cross into the box. Sophomore Anne Marie Thomas’ header hit the post, and the score would remain tied. That would change in the 21st minute as the Hawkeyes jumped to a 1-0 lead. Sophomore Melanie Pickert sent a lob thru ball into the attacking third of the pitch where Lacasse was able to find net with a low shot from inside the box.
Iowa took a 2-0 lead in the 34th minute of play off a freshman-to-freshman connection. Mackenzie Guindon played a thru ball to Backes, who picked it up from 25 yards out and dribbled into the left side of the box. Backes drilled a low shot from the left corner to beat UND goalkeeper Alex Ciaccio and score her first career goal. Both freshmen were subbed in late in the first half.
The Hawkeyes challenged North Dakota’s back line in the first half, frequently playing thru balls from the midfield. Iowa was called offside nine times in the first half as a result, but made up for it with eight shots, four shots on target and two goals.
Iowa quickly added to its advantage in the second half, scoring in the 48th minute on a great goal from Catrell. Senior Kat Lewis crossed the ball to Catrell in the top corner of the 18-yard box. Catrell took it back to the left, displaying quality dribbling before beating Ciaccio and the back post to put the Hawkeyes ahead 3-0.
Both squads would go scoreless in the final 40 minutes of play. The Hawkeyes ended with 11 shots on goal compared to North Dakota’s five. Iowa also earned four corners.
“I hope they are excited about that (being 2-0-0), but I also hope they see how much things they have to work on,” said Rainey. “Judging by their facial expressions after the game, I think they know we could have been better today, especially in the second half.”
Clark played into the 52nd minute without letting North Dakota threaten. The Fort Collins, Colo., native notched two saves. Sophomore Kiley Beck came in to earn the combined shutout, playing 37 minutes with three saves and no goals allowed.
“Both Hannah and Kiley have dealt with all the saves they’ve had to make the past two games, which is good,” said Rainey. “There is still a lot of film to be watched and evaluating to do, and we will return another quality goalkeeper (Meg Goodson) from an injury soon as well.”
In the opening weekend of the 2012 season, the Hawkeyes out-scored their opponents 8-0 while out-shooting them 43-9. Lacasse netted seven points in the two matches on three goals and an assist.
The Hawkeyes will return to the Iowa Soccer Complex on Friday, Aug. 24, to close its three- game home stand. Iowa will host Chicago University Loyola at 7 p.m.