Sept. 30, 2012
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EAST LANSING, Mich. — The University of Iowa women’s soccer team earned its second straight double overtime draw of the weekend Sunday afternoon at the DeMartin Soccer Complex. The Hawkeyes (11-1-2, 2-1-2) played 110 minutes in a scoreless draw against Michigan State (8-3-2, 2-2-1) to tie the program record for shutouts in a season (9). The match was televised live by BTN.
The Hawkeyes are undefeated in their past four Big Ten matches thanks to another stingy defensive effort, as Iowa has shutout three of their past four Big Ten opponents. Iowa has tied the season shutout record of nine matches, which was set last season, with six regular season contests remaining. Iowa has allowed just seven goals this season, with opponents scoring just 0.50 goals per match.
“Getting these points on the road for us is huge, but I thought our energy was even more special this weekend,” said head coach Ron Rainey. “Our players, whether on or off the field, were totally dedicated to having a great weekend. I’m very proud of our team’s effort in the past two matches, and I’m pleased with the results.”
The Hawkeye defense played another flawless first half, holding their opponent without a goal in the first period for the 13th time this season. Iowa held the Spartans to four shots on goal as each would be saved by freshman goalkeeper Meg Goodson. Goodson, who played in the first half, has played 197 consecutive minutes without allowing a goal. She improved her save percentage to .892 and her goals against average to 0.67.
Iowa’s first threatening look on offense came in the 16th minute as sophomore Melanie Pickert took a free kick for the Hawkeyes. Sophomore Anne Marie Thomas earned a header off the free kick, but the shot went just wide of the post. Pickert also took a free kick from 30-yards out at the32 minute mark, but her shot went wide left.
The Hawkeyes had five shot in the first period, led by Pickert with two. Seniors Stefani Campbell and Allie Adam, sophomore Nicole Urban and freshmen Mackenzie Guindon and Brooke Backes came off the bench for Iowa, who had nine student-athletes play the full 110 minutes of Iowa’s overtime draw against No. 23 Michigan on Friday. Iowa has allowed just two goals in the first half this season.
Junior Ashley Catrell generated a scoring opportunity in the 47th minute off a tremendous individual effort. Catrell made a great deke move to find open space, where she ripped a shot from 20-yards out. The shot was saved by goalkeeper Courtney Clem. The Hawkeyes earned corners in the 75th and 82nd minute, but senior Jade Grimm’s cross would be defended by the Spartans. Freshman Hannah Clark made four saves in the second half to keep the contest tied.
The Hawkeyes made a quick attack in the first overtime period, earning a corner in the 92nd minute. Grimm’s cross created a scramble situation in the box that was nearly won by senior Dana Dalrymple before Clem came up with the ball. Sophomore Cloe Lacasse nearly scored the golden goal in the final minute of the second overtime on a breakaway opportunity. Lacasse beat her defender to take a shot from the left side of the box, but Clem came away with the save.
Clark finished with four saves, as the Fort Collins, Colo., native has gone 131 minutes without allowing a goal. Clark improved her save percentage to .919 and her goals against average to 0.41. The Hawkeye defense has an active shutout streak of 221 minutes.
“We want to be a team that’s known for being gritty on defense,” said Rainey. “That’s part of our Iowa work ethic and something that this program stands for, and the girls showed that this weekend.”
Pickert and Lacasse led Iowa’s offense with two shots a piece. Iowa used 17 players to earn the draw. Pickert, Dlarymple, Thomas, sophomore Katie Brown, junior Alex Melin and senior Kat Lewis played all 220 minutes in Iowa’s past two contests.
The Hawkeyes will take a much deserved break before returning to action on Friday at Minnesota (7-5-0, 2-2-0). The match will begin at 1 p.m. (CT) in Minneapolis, Minn.