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IOWA CITY, Iowa — Three University of Iowa soccer seniors — Claire Graves, Hannah Drkulec, and Isabella Blackman — have been named United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-North/Central Region selections, it was released Monday.
Graves was named a first-team scholar all-region selection, Drkulec was a second-team honoree, and Blackman was named to the third team. It is the first time since 2014 that Iowa has had a Scholar All-Region honoree.
Graves, a Noblesville, Indiana, native was the first-team goalkeeper after posting a 14-5-1 record in 2019 with 7.5 shutouts. Graves made 45 saves and posted a 0.87 goals against average. The human physiology native with a 3.98 grade point average finished her career with 38 victories — the most in school history. She also earned her third Academic All-Big Ten honor.
Drkulec, a Windsor, Ontario, Canada, native, was one of four defenders named to the second-team after starting all 21 games for a Hawkeye defense that posted eight shutouts. Drkulec scored a career-high five goals in 2019 and was a four-time Big Ten Player of the Week honoree. The biomedical engineering major, who carries a 4.09 grade point average, was a CoSIDA first-team Academic All-American as a senior — her second career Academic All-America honor — and she earned her third career Academic All-Big Ten honor.
Blackman, a Bettendorf, Iowa, native, was named third-team all-region after starting all 21 games in the midfield for the Hawkeyes. Blackman played 90 or more minutes in 10 games and she finished with one goal — the game-winner against Maryland — and one assist. Blackman, a finance major with a 3.81 grade point average, also earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for the third straight season.
The Hawkeyes enjoyed a stellar 2019 season, tying a single-season school record with 15 victories, while earning a berth into the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history. Iowa tied a school record with seven Big Ten wins to finish fifth in the regular season standings, which is tied for the second best league finish in program history.
To be eligible for Scholar All-Region distinction, nominees must have a 3.30 cumulative grade point average throughout their careers, be a junior or senior, start more than 50 percent of all games, and be an elite player as supported by playing honors or contributions to the success of the team.
