Oct. 10, 2013
- Read the October 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 returns to action Saturday, facing Indiana at Bill Armstong Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. Game time is set for 5 p.m. (CT).
SCOUTING INDIANA
The Hoosiers, winners of two straight contests, enter Saturday’s game with a 10-2-1 overall and 3-2-0 Big Ten record. Indiana’s lone two defeats came in consecutive matches at Ohio State (3-1) and at No. 8 Penn State (4-1) on Sept. 26 and Sept. 29, respectively. The Hoosiers rebounded with consecutive wins over Northwestern (2-1, OT) and Illinois (3-2). Indiana, which is out-scoring its opposition, 28-12, on the season, is led by Lisa Nouanesengsy. The midfielder has seven goals and three assists. Nine different IU players have found the back of the net in 2013, which includes four goals apiece from Kayleigh Steigerwalt and Abby Smith. Rebecca Candler has a team-best six assists. Shannon Flower has played every minute in goal for the Hoosiers, posting a 0.89 goals against average and making 40 saves. Flower is tied with Iowa’s Hannah Clark for the conference lead in shutouts with seven.
INDIANA VS. IOWA — THE SERIES
Saturday’s match-up will be the rubber game in the all-time series between Indiana and Iowa, as the two schools have split 16 meetings. The Hawkeyes have won the last two games in the series, winning 1-0 in Bloomington in 2011 and 1-0 in Iowa City a season ago behind a Katherie Lewis penalty kick goal in the 30th minute.
LAST GAME
The Hawkeyes won their second Big Ten contest, downing Michigan State, 1-0, in double overtime, on Oct. 6 at the Iowa Soccer Complex. Iowa scored the game-winning goal in the 106th minute when junior Anne Marie Thomas got a head on junior Melanie Pickert’s free kick. The goal came on Iowa’s 23rd shot of the game, 14 of which were on goal. The Spartans had six shots (three on goal) in the contest. Sophomore Hannah Clark made three saves for Iowa en route to her seventh shutout of the season.
CATRELL THRIVING
Senior Ashley Catrell is making the most of her final season as a Hawkeye, leading Iowa in multiple categories. The Overland Park, Kan., native leads Iowa with 39 shots, four goals, and 11 points. Her two game-winning goals are tied for the team lead, and she holds the second-highest assist total (3).
IOWA 9TH IN GREAT LAKES REGION
The Hawkeyes are ranked ninth in the NSCAA/Continental Tire Great Lakes Region rankings that were released Oct. 8. Big Ten teams take up eight of the 10 spots in the poll; Penn State (1), Michigan (3), Wisconsin (4), Nebraska (5), Minnesota (6), Indiana (7), and Ohio State (8)
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.
CLARK IN B1G
Sophomore Hannah Clark ranks among the top-five in the Big Ten in three different statistical categories. The Colorado native’s seven shutouts and 0.54 shutouts per game are tops among the league’s 12 goalkeepers, and her 0.76 goals against average ranks third.
BALANCED SCORING
Eight different Iowa players have scored at least one goal thus far in 2013. Senior Ashley Catrell leads the team with four strikes, while senior Alex Melin and junior Melanie Pickert are are tied for second with three strikes apiece. Junior Cloe Lacasse has a team-best six assists, which ties her for sixth-best in the Big Ten.
OUTSHOOTING, OUT SCORING
In 13 games, Iowa has out shot its opponents, 214-122. The Hawkeyes have limited the opposition to 53 shots on goal and a .082 shot percentage. Offensively, Iowa has a 21-10 advantage in goals.
IRON WOMEN
Juniors Caitlin Brown and Emily Scott are the only two position players to play every minute for the Hawkeyes in 2013, logging 1,185 minutes apiece. Goalkeeper Hannah Clark, who has also played every minute of the season, has thrived with Brown and Scott leading a defense that allows only 9.4 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.
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 second in career goals (27) and game-winning goals (8), and third in points (73) and shots (195). 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 was broadcast live on BTN. The Hawkeyes fell to the Wolverines, 2-1. The Big Ten Digital Network broadcast Iowa’s games against Northern Iowa (Sept. 17), Michigan State (Oct. 6), and will broadcast the Hawkeyes’ home contest versus 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 75-62-16 record, which includes 35 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.
B1G IN THE POLLS
In the most recent NSCAA Coaches Poll, four Big Ten teams are ranked in the Top 25. Penn State (10-2-1) fell from their previous spot at No. 7 to No. 11, while Michigan (9-2-1) advanced two spots to No. 19. Wisconsin (8-2-2) dropped two spots to No. 20, and Nebraska (9-3-1) moved back one spot to No. 24. Minnesota received votes.