Hawk Talk Monthly — October | Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2019-20
IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa’s Hannah Drkulec and Gianna Gourley earned weekly recognition from the Big Ten Conference, it was announced Tuesday by the league office. Drkulec was honored for the fourth time this season, earning the Defensive Player of the Week accolade, while Gourley was named the Freshman of the Week.
Drkulec was previously named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Aug. 27 and Sept. 10, and she was the Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 17. The honor is the first of Gourley’s career.
Drkulec, a senior defender from Windsor, Ontario, earned the distinction helping the Hawkeyes post back-to-back shutout victories over Nebraska and Michigan State. Iowa limited the two opponents to 15 shots (nine for Nebraska, six for Michigan State) and Drkulec scored the game-winning goal in the 3-0 win in East Lansing.
Drkulec has a career-high five goals this season and she has helped Iowa’s defense post seven shutouts. Two of her goals are game-winners.
Gourley, a freshman from Las Vegas, made her first career start in Iowa’s Oct. 3 matchup against Nebraska and she delivered her first career game-winning goal in the 79th minute in the 1-0 victory. Gourley followed it up by assisting on the Hawkeyes’ second goal in the 3-0 road win in East Lansing.
Gourley is the first Hawkeye to garner Freshman of the Week honors since Olivia Fiegel in 2016.
Iowa returns to action Friday, hosting No. 19 Rutgers at 7 p.m. (CT) at the Iowa Soccer Complex. Admission is free.
