Sep 1, 2013
- Read the Sept. Issue of Hawk Talk Monthly
- 2013 Iowa Soccer Media Guide
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPhone app!
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye Android app!
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
STOCKTON, Calif. — The University of Iowa soccer team completed its West Coast road trip with a victory over Pacific, 2-0, behind goals from senior Alex Melin, and junior Cloe Lacasse and a second-straight shutout from sophomore goalkeeper Hannah Clark.
The Hawkeyes exploited a short-handed Tiger squad after defender Brittni Beeman was issued her second yellow card of the match in the 21st minute. The ejection left the Tigers with 10 players.
“It was a physical match, very similar to the style of a Big Ten match,” said UI head coach Ron Rainey.
Melin utilized the Hawkeyes’ advantage by scoring her first goal of the 2013 season in the 38th minute after Lacasse passed the ball to freshman Bri Toelle on the left flank. Toelle then played the ball to Melin, who put the ball into the right corner of the net from 15-yards out. The Verona, Wis. native now has 11 goals in her career.
“Alex did a really good job composing herself on that shot,” Rainey said. “She settled herself, and delivered a nice shot with her left foot.”
Lacasse delivered the Hawkeyes second and final goal of the match via a penalty kick in the 77th minute after being brought down by a Pacific player in the box after maneuvering past her defender, drawing the penalty. She then put the ball past Tiger goalkeeper Tashia Long for her second goal of the season and 27th of her career.
Rainey was pleased with his team’s effort and ability to capitalize on Beeman’s first-half ejection, but he doesn’t expect to hold a similar advantage in any upcoming games.
“Being a player short made it hard for them to get behind us,” he said. “Overall, we’re not going to play many teams that will be a player down.”
Hannah Clark posted her third shutout of the season while making two saves and moving her goals against average to 0.25. Clark is now 4-0 in goal on the year.
The Hawkeyes outshot their opponents for the fourth straight match, shooting 16 times with nine on goal. Pacific had 11 shots with only two on goal.
“We had to over-communicate a bit after the red card,” Rainey said. “With 11 players on the field, you’re matched up with the same person for the entire match. All of a sudden, you’re defending a different player every time.”
Iowa moves to 4-0 on the season, extending its nonconference winning-streak to 22 games.
The Hawkeyes will return to action Friday, hosting Iowa State at 7 p.m. (CT) at the Iowa Soccer Complex in the first event of the 2013-14 Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series. Following the conclusion of the contest, there will be a post-match fireworks show to celebrate the Iowa victory in the 2012-13 Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk series.