Aug. 26, 2012
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WATERLOO, Iowa — The University of Iowa women’s soccer team stayed perfect on the season Sunday afternoon, and also kept its perfect all-time series record against Northern Iowa intact. The Hawkeyes (4-0-0) defeated the Panthers (3-1-0), 3-0, at the Cedar Valley Soccer Complex.
The Hawkeyes improved to 10-0-0 all-time against the Northern Iowa as sophomore Cloe Lacasse, junior Ashley Catrell and sophomore Nicole Urban poured in goals. Iowa’s defense allowed only two shots on target from the Panthers in the entire match.
Iowa is off to a 4-0-0 start for the second consecutive season, and has secured the fourth best start in program history. Iowa has outscored its opponents 15-0 this season en route to becoming the first team in program history to start with four shutouts.
“I thought we did a great job of not allowing them any chances,” said head coach Ron Rainey. “That would be a great trait for us to have as we go on throughout the year. I thought we also finished very well. Those are goals that would be effective against our other opponents, and that is nice to see.”
The Hawkeyes and Panthers spent much of the beginning portion of the first half feeling each team out as both squads looked to earn possession.
Lacasse broke the stalemate in the 34th minute with a goal on a Hawkeye counterattack. The Panthers took a corner kick in the 33rd minute, but Lacasse quickly broke free after Iowa defended the cross. Lacasse dribbled around two defenders to get inside the18-yard box and fired to the bottom right corner of the goal to beat goalkeeper Erin Zaideman.
Freshman Meg Goodson, who started for the first time of her career, handled everything that came her way between the posts. The Waukee, Iowa, native registered one save without allowing a goal in 45 minutes of play. Goodson earned the win, while fellow freshman Hannah Clark took the reins at goalkeeper in the second half.
The Hawkeyes outshot the Panthers 9-3 in the first half, with three shots on goal compared to Northern Iowa’s one. Iowa would look even more impressive in the second half, keeping the ball on its offensive side of the pitch for much of the half.
Catrell found net for the fifth time this season in the 51st minute after a series of great passing in the attacking third of the pitch. Sophomore Anne Marie Thomas delivered a pass to Lacasse near the box. Lacasse would take two touches before firing a pass to Catrell in front of the goal, and she would easily put it away.
Iowa sealed the matches’ fate in the 80th minute as Urban scored her first career goal off another great Hawkeye assist. From the right side of the 18-yard box, Freshman Brooke Backes sent a pass to the left side of the box where Urban had a clear shot at goal. The Lisle, Ill., native scored with ease, making the score 3-0.
“At halftime, we talked about winning the second ball, and we definitely improved at that in the second half,” said Rainey. “We were active in on the first and second ball, and that was one area I was pleased with. Overall, it was a good performance on our end, and now we have to get ready for another in-state foe on Friday.”
Iowa outshot the Panthers 20-11, and had seven shots on target compared to Northern Iowa’s two. The Hawkeyes earned four corners, including three in the second half.
Clark preserved the Iowa shutout, playing the entire second half in replacement of Goodson. Clark registered one save and never allowed the Panthers to threaten. Lacasse finished with five shots, while Catrell and freshman Lana Bonekemper each added three.
The Hawkeyes have now won the past 13 nonconference matches, and are undefeated in the past 14 nonconference matches dating back to Sept. 19, 2010.
The Hawkeyes play another in-state rivalry match on Friday, traveling to Ames, Iowa, to meet Iowa State. The match will begin at 7 p.m. at the ISU Soccer Complex.