Hawkeyes Win Big in Exhibition Opener

March 2, 2013

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa women’s soccer team opened its exhibition spring season Saturday evening at the new Indoor Practice Facility with a decisive victory over in-state foe Drake. The Hawkeyes won, 5-0, with goals coming from five players.

“It was great to get out and play another opponent in Drake, who had a good season this year,” said head coach Ron Rainey, who guided Iowa to a 12-6-3 record and a Big Ten Tournament birth in the fall. “We’re excited to get our first look as we head into the 2013 fall season. This was a tribute to how hard this team has been working and how hard our strength and condition staff has been working with the team.”

Junior Ashley Catrell put Iowa on the board first, knocking home a volley from eight yards out off sophomore Cloe Lacasse’s cross. Catrell tallied an assist minutes later, as sophomore Katie Nasenbenny found net from inside the box.

Sophomore Mel Pickert scored a blistering free kick goal, putting Iowa comfortable ahead, 3-0. Pickert roped her free kick from 30 yards out to the top left corner of the goal.

A corner kick provided Iowa’s next look at net, as Catrell found junior Alex Melin in space off the corner. Melin played the ball to sophomore Anne Marie Thomas at the far post, and Thomas scored with ease. Sophomore Nicole Urban provided Iowa’s final tally, scoring a put-back goal as Drake’s goalkeeper spilled a hard hit shot from Catrell.

Sophomore Kiley Beck and freshman Hannah Clark combined to keep a clean sheet in goal for the Hawkeyes.

“It was great to play 11 aside in this facility with about 150 people watching,” said Rainey. “The field turf here plays like real grass, and it was great to showcase this facility.”

The Hawkeyes will continue their spring season on March 9, traveling to Missouri. The Tigers went 14-7-1 last season and qualified for the NCAA Tournament.