Sept. 16, 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
THE MATCH-UP
The University of Iowa soccer team closes out the nonconference portion of its schedule Tuesday night when it hosts Northern Iowa at 7 p.m. (CT) at the Iowa Soccer Complex.
ON THE WEB
Tuesday’s game will be broadcast by the Big Ten Digital Network as a “Student U” production.
SCOUTING NORTHERN IOWA
Northern Iowa comes to Iowa City on a four-game losing streak, which has dropped its record to 1-6-0 this season. The Panthers’ lone victory came against Eastern Illinois (2-0) on Aug. 30. UNI fell 1-0 in double overtime to South Dakota State on Sept. 15 in Cedar Falls.
The Panthers have netted just five goals in seven contests. Five different UNI players have accounted for the goals, and Maggie Riley is pacing the team with three points. Defensively, Nicole Postel has seen the bulk of the playing time in goal, posting a 1.29 goals against average with 34 saves in 560 minutes. She has one shutout.
NORTHERN IOWA VS. IOWA — THE SERIES
The Hawkeyes have never lost to Northern Iowa in 10 all-time meetings. Iowa has out scored the Panthers, 31-3, in the series, and it hasn’t allowed a UNI goal since the 2005 season.
LAST GAME
The Hawkeyes picked up their seventh victory of the season, downing Saint Louis, 3-2, on Sept. 13 at the Iowa Soccer Complex. Iowa jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first half behind goals from Melanie Pickert and Ashley Catrell. The Billikens cut the lead in half with a strike in the 56th minute before Alex Melin’s scored the game-winning goal in the 68th minute. Saint Louis’ second goal came with eight seconds remaining.
GOING FOR THE IN-STATE SWEEP
With a victory over Northern Iowa, the Hawkeyes would complete the in-state sweep for the first time since 2009 — the last year Iowa played all three in-state foes. Iowa has won the last 14 games against in-state foes dating back to a Sept. 9, 2007, game against Iowa State that ended in a draw.
LAST OF THE UN-TIED/UNBEATENS
The Hawkeyes are the only Big Ten Conference team to post an unblemished record during nonconference play. Iowa has reeled off seven-straight victories without a tie or defeat.
IOWA 5TH IN GREAT LAKES REGION
The Hawkeyes are ranked fifth in the NSCAA/Continental Tire Great Lakes Region rankings that were released Sept. 10. Big Ten teams take up eight of the 10 spots in the poll; Michigan (1), Penn State (2), Wisconsin (3), Minnesota (5), Ohio State (7), Illinois (8), and Michigan State (9).
NCAA STATISTICS
Iowa currently ranks in the top-10 in the NCAA statistical rankings that were released Sept. 12. The Hawkeyes’ .833 shutout percentage is fifth and the 0.167 goals against average and .938 save percentage both rank ninth. Individually, sophomore Hannah Clark ranks 11th in goals against average (0.167) and 12th in save percentage (.938).
SCORELESS STREAK
Iowa’s defense posted a scoreless streak of 435:36 from Aug. 25 to Sept. 13. During the stretch, the Hawkeyes tallied four straight shutouts.
NONCONFERENCE DOMINANCE
The Hawkeyes have been dominant in non-league competition dating back to the 2011 season. The Hawkeyes have compiled a 24-0 nonconference record during the stretch.
Iowa’s last nonconference loss came during the 2010 season against Nebraska, a year before it joined the Big Ten.
Since the 2011 season, the Hawkeyes have out scored their nonconference opponents, 79-11.
PICKERT NETS NO. 3
Junior Melanie Pickert scored her career-best third goal in Iowa’s 3-2 victory over Saint Louis. The defender blasted a free kick from 40 yards out to net the first goal of the contest.
The Canton, Mich., native has career-highs in goals (3) and points (8) in 2013, while being a key part of an Iowa defense that has posted five shutouts.
LEADING THE B1G
Sophomore Hannah Clark ranks among the top-four in the Big Ten in three different statistical categories. The Colorado native’s five shutouts and 0.71 shutouts per game are tops among the league’s 12 goalkeepers, her 0.43 goals against average is second, and her .850 saves percentage ranks fourth.
BALANCED SCORING
Seven different Iowa players have scored at least one goal thus far in 2013. Senior Alex Melin and junior Melanie Pickert are leading the team with three strikes apiece. Junior Cloe Lacasse has a team-best three assists, and Melin has two game-winning goals, which are tied for the second-most in the Big Ten.
PERFECT ON PENALTY KICKS
Iowa is a perfect 3-for-3 in penalty kicks in 2013. The Hawkeyes got PK goals from Lana Bonekemper (Drake), Ashley Catrell (Western Michigan) and Cloe Lacasse (Pacific).
Iowa was 4-of-4 in penalty kicks the entire 2012 season.
OUTSHOOTING, OUT SCORING
In seven games, Iowa has more than doubled the shot output of its opponents, 112-54. The Hawkeyes have limited the opposition to 21 shots on goal and a .055 shot percentage.
Offensively, Iowa has a 14-3 advantage in goals.
IRON WOMAN
Junior Caitlin Brown is the only position player to play every minute for the Hawkeyes in 2013. Brown, who has played all 630 minutes along with goalkeeper Hannah Clark, has anchored an Iowa defense that surrenders just 7.7 shots per game.
BREAKING RECORDS, BEATING RIVALS
The Hawkeyes continued their dominance over Iowa State on Sept. 6, beating the Cyclones 3-0 in front of a record crowd of 1,594 at the Iowa Soccer Complex. The crowd bested the previous high mark of 975 fans set in the 2011 season.
The win was the sixth-straight for Iowa in the series. In those six games, Iowa has out scored the Cyclones 19-4.
CLARK EARNS B1G HONOR
Sophomore goalkeeper Hannah Clark was selected as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 3 after posting consecutive shutouts and leading the Hawkeyes to the team title at the Pacific Soccer Classic. The Fort Collins, Colo., native made six saves on the weekend and had a 0.00 goals against average and a 1.000 saves percentage. The honor is the second of Clark’s career.
TRANSFER ADDED
Junior Emily Scott joined the Hawkeye soccer program this fall after two seasons at Milwaukee. Scott started every game as a freshman at central defender, and played every minute of the 2012 season at the position.
The Tinley Park, Ill. native tallied a goal in an exhibition match against her former team on Aug. 17.
LACASSE HISTORICALLY SPEAKING
In two-plus years, junior Cloe Lacasse has made her mark on the Iowa soccer program.
The Sudbury, Ontario, native is currently third in career goals (27), points (70), game-winning goals (8) and fourth in shots (176).
Lacasse has led Iowa in goals scored, points, and shots taken in both the 2011 and 2012 seasons.
Lacasse was named Iowa’s MVP in 2012, scoring goals in each of the team’s first nine matches. She was named to the Madness’ 2012 All-Big Ten first-team by CollegeSportsMadness.com, and was an All-Great Lakes Region second team honoree by the NSCAA.
HAWKEYES TAKE TOURNEY TITLE
After defeating UC Davis on Aug. 30 and Pacific on Sept. 1, the Hawkeyes captured the Pacific Soccer Classic team title.
Senior Alex Melin, juniors Melanie Pickert, Caitlin Brown, Cloe Lacasse, and sophomore Hannah Clark were named to the all-tournament team.
HAWKEYES ON TV
Iowa will appear on BTN at least once this season, and the Big Ten Digital Network at least three times.
The Hawkeyes’ Sept. 22 contest with Michigan will be broadcast live on BTN. The match will begin at 1 p.m. (CT).
The Big Ten Digital Network will broadcast Iowa’s games against Northern Iowa (Sept. 17), Michigan State (Oct. 6), and Ohio State (Oct. 27).
The BTN will also be televising the Big Ten Tournament on Nov. 6-10.
ALL-TIME WINNINGEST COACH
In his eighth season as Iowa head coach, Ron Rainey is the winningest coach in school history. He has compiled a 72-60-16 record, which includes 32 victories the past two plus seasons. The stretch is the best in program history, including a 13-win season in 2011.
TEAM CAPTAINS
Senior Alex Melin and junior Caitlin Brown have been voted team captains for the 2013 Iowa soccer team.