Sept. 20, 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
Game Notes — vs. No. 15 Michigan
THE MATCH-UP
The University of Iowa soccer team opens Big Ten Conference play by hosting No. 15 Michigan on Sunday afternoon at the Iowa Soccer Complex. The game is slated for a 12 p.m. (CT) start, and it will be televised on the Big Ten Network.
ON THE TUBE
Sunday’s game will be televised on the Big Ten Network. Dan Kelly will handle the play-by-play, while Kate Markgraf will serve as the color commentator.
SUNDAY PROMOTIONS
Sunday’s game against Michigan will feature a “Hawks Nest” tailgate where free pizza and drinks will be distributed (while supplies last). Free BTN foam fingers will be handed out to the first 75 fans, and fans can also register to win two free tickets to the Michigan-Iowa football game scheduled for Nov. 23.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN
The Wolverines come to Iowa City with a No. 15 ranking and a 6-1-0 record after dropping its first game of the season — 1-0 at Butler on Sept. 15. Michigan won its first six matches of the 2013 season — a school-record start — which includes two wins over ranked opponents (San Diego State and Pepperdine). Nine different Michigan players have scored this season, led by forward Nkem Ezurike, who has netted five goals to go along with five assists. Ezurike has 40 career goals — five shy of the school record. Taylor Bucklin has seen a bulk of the action in goal, posting a 0.44 goals against average in 618:07 minutes. Bucklin has made 15 saves and posted three shutouts. The Wolverines have allowed four goals in seven games on the year.
MICHIGAN VS. IOWA — THE SERIES
The Wolverines lead the all-time series over Iowa, 13-2-2. Iowa’s last victory came during the 2009 season, winning 2-1 in Iowa City. Last season, the game ended in a scoreless draw.
LAST GAME
Iowa claimed the state title, downing Northern Iowa, 2-1, in overtime Sept. 17 at the Iowa Soccer Complex. The Hawkeyes grabbed the 1-0 lead in the 79th minute on a goal by junior Anne Marie Thomas before the Panthers evened the game 18 seconds later. In overtime, senior Ashley Catrell scored just 14 seconds in to propel Iowa to its eighth win this season.
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 eight-straight victories without a tie or defeat.
IOWA 6TH IN GREAT LAKES REGION
The Hawkeyes are ranked sixth in the NSCAA/Continental Tire Great Lakes Region rankings that were released Sept. 17. Big Ten teams take up eight of the 10 spots in the poll; Penn State (1), Michigan (2), Wisconsin (4), Minnesota (5), Ohio State (7), Illinois (8), and Michigan State (9).
NCAA STATISTICS
Iowa currently ranks in the top-10 in two NCAA statistical rankings that were released Sept. 15. The Hawkeyes’ .714 shutout percentage is tied for ninth and their 1.000 win-lost-tied percentage is tied for the best in the nation. Iowa’s goals-against average is .429, tied for 16th. Individually, sophomore goalkeeper Hannah Clark ranks 18th in goals against average (.429).
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 25-0 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, 81-12.
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-five in the Big Ten in three different statistical categories. The Colorado native’s five shutouts and 0.62 shutouts per game are second among the league’s 12 goalkeepers and her 0.50 goals against average and her .826 saves percentage rank fifth.
BALANCED SCORING
Seven different Iowa players have scored at least one goal thus far in 2013. Seniors Alex Melin, Ashley Catrell, and junior Melanie Pickert are leading the team with three strikes apiece. Junior Cloe Lacasse has a team-best four assists, and Melin has two game-winning goals, which are tied for the second-most in the Big Ten.
OUTSHOOTING, OUT SCORING
In eight games, Iowa has more than doubled the shot output of its opponents, 138-58. The Hawkeyes have limited the opposition to 24 shots on goal and a .069 shot percentage. Offensively, Iowa has a 16-4 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 720 minutes along with goalkeeper Hannah Clark, has anchored an Iowa defense that surrenders just 7.2 shots per game.
CORNER LEADERS
Iowa currently leads the Big Ten in corner kicks attempted with 55, averaging 6.88 per game. The Hawkeyes have allowed 19 corners on the year.
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 (71), game-winning goals (8) and fourth in shots (184). 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 73-60-16 record, which includes 33 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.