ONE FOR THE BOOKS
- University of Iowa women’s soccer completed another historic season this fall.
- Iowa won the program’s second Big Ten Tournament Championship. The Hawkeyes defeated three consecutive ranked opponents for the first time in program history during the postseason run, becoming the lowest seed ever to win the conference tournament.
- Iowa made its third NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019 and fourth in school history.
- The Hawkeyes hosted the NCAA Tournament First Round for the first time, drawing a record crowd of 2,639 fans in attendance at the Iowa Soccer Complex.
- Iowa downed Bucknell, 2-0, for the second NCAA Tournament victory in school history, the 10th postseason win since 2021 and a program-record 13 shutouts for the season.
- Goalkeeper Macy Enneking set a school record for single-season shutouts (12.5). Fifth-year Samantha Cary became the Iowa career leader for minutes (8,322), games played (97) and starts (96).
- Cary and Enneking were each named First Team All-North Region, becoming just the third and fourth Hawkeyes to earn first team regional honors. Five Iowa players earned Academic All-District recognition, the most in Iowa program history for a single season. Cary became Iowa’s first United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American, joining Hannah Drkulec (2018-19) and Kaleigh Haus (2018-19) as Academic All-Americans.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Iowa opened the season with a 6-0-1 non-conference record, with the lone draw coming in a scoreless match on the road against No. 18 Virginia. The Hawkeyes allowed just one goal and 17 shots on goal through their first seven games, flying into Big Ten Conference play ranked No. 23 by Top Drawer Soccer.
- Iowa went into postseason play 9-4-4 (3-4-3), securing the eighth and final seed in the Big Ten Tournament. The Hawkeyes were slated against No. 12 Michigan State in the first round, setting up a rematch in East Lansing just one week after the Spartans defeated Iowa, 3-0, in the regular season finale.
- After trailing, 1-0, at halftime, the Hawkeyes flipped the script with a pair of goals from senior Kelli McGroarty and freshman Sofia Bush. The scores came five minutes apart early in the second half to help dispatch the Spartans. McGroarty assisted the game-winner; Cary registered assists on both goals.
- Iowa upset No. 5 Penn State the following weekend in the semifinals at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio. McGroarty came up clutch again, drilling the game-winner in overtime following 90 scoreless minutes in regulation. The victory marked the second win over a top-five team in program history.
- Iowa defeated No. 12 Wisconsin in the championship match on a penalty kick in the 18th-minute by seventh-year Josie Durr. The score was Iowa’s lone shot on goal for the contest. Goalkeeper Macy Enneking hauled in a pair of saves to secure the 12th clean sheet of the year for the Hawkeye defense.
- Iowa’s path bore similarities to the 2020-21 postseason run, which saw the Hawkeyes knock off a fourth-ranked Penn State squad before downing Wisconsin in the final. Iowa had previously won just two regular season games that season, which was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Following the run, the Hawkeyes ascended to the highest major national rankings in program history, jumping to No. 14 in the College Soccer News ranking and No. 17 according to Top Drawer Soccer.
- At 30th in the RPI, Iowa earned an NCAA Tournament fifth-seed and its first opportunity to host a First Round match. The Hawkeyes defeated Bucknell before a home attendance record 2,639 spectators, earning the second NCAA Tournament win in program history.
- Iowa finished the season ranked No. 24 in the final United Soccer Coaches Poll, making an appearance in the final rankings for the first time.
- The Hawkeye defense forced a program-record 13 shutouts during the 2023 season.
SENIOR SALUTE
Iowa was led by eight players with at least three years of collegiate experience. That group combined for 355 career starts and scored 19 of 36 Iowa goals this season (53%).
- Fifth-year Samantha Cary led Iowa position players in minutes (1,957) this season. Cary finished her career as the Iowa all-time leader for minutes (8,322), games played (97) and starts (96).
- Senior Maggie Johnston joined Cary on the defensive back line, helping anchor the best statistical defense in school history.
- Seventh-year Josie Durr and senior Kelli McGroarty led the attack on offense with seven goals, each. McGroarty led the Hawkeyes in points (18) and shots (52) and was second for assists (4). Nine of McGroarty’s points came during postseason play.
- Goalkeeper Macy Enneking posted an Iowa single-season record 12.5 shutouts, snaring 58 saves at a .733 save percentage and 0.76 goals against average.
INSTANT IMPACT
The following freshmen saw the pitch for Iowa this season: Millie Greer (22 games played, 22 starts), Sofia Bush (22-15), Eva Pattison (19-14), Abby Skiff (19-2), Sophie Kincaid (9-0), Keira Smyser (3-0), Sonya Mehta (3-0) and Kearstyn Gladden (2-0).
- Greer (#39) and Bush (#87) were listed as Top Drawer Soccer Top 100 Freshmen.
- Senior midfielder Kelli McGroarty joined Iowa this season from La Salle, leading the Hawkeyes with 18 points in 2023. Transfer students Taylor Kane (Pomona-Pitzer) and Shae Doherty (Belmont) also joined the program in 2023. Doherty made 13 starts and scored four points this year at Iowa.
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Iowa allowed just 17 goals this season, setting new program bests for goals against average (0.76) and shutouts (13). Both records had stood since the first season under Head Coach Dave DiIanni in 2014.
- The Hawkeyes outscored opponents 36-17 in 2023. Iowa dominated opponents in shots (307-164) and shots on goal (149-75).
- Cary was the lone conference player to win multiple Big Ten Player of the Week awards this season, taking home the honor on three occasions (Sept. 5, Sept. 13 and Oct. 3).
- Enneking ranks fourth in the Hawkeye record book with 26 career victories (.671 win percentage) and third in shutouts (22). Enneking tied for fifth nationally in shutouts in 2023, setting a new Iowa single-season best (12.5). Enneking was named Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Week on Oct. 3.
SHARING THE WEALTH
Sixteen Hawkeyes combined for 36 goals this season.
- Josie Durr (7), Kelli McGroarty (7), Elle Otto (5), Kenzie Roling (3), Sofia Bush (3) and Maggie Johnston (2) were the six Iowa players to register multiple goals this season.
- Iowa is 43-2-3 in its last 48 games when scoring two goals or more, which dates back to October of 2017. The Hawkeyes scored multiple goals in 10 outings this season.
90 TRACKER
Eleven Hawkeyes played the entirety of at least one game, including fifth-year Samantha Cary (17), freshman Millie Greer (17), senior Maggie Johnston (8), freshman Eva Pattison (8), senior Rielee Fetty (6), freshman Sofia Bush (3), junior Kenzie Roling (3), seventh-year Josie Durr (2), senior Kelli McGroarty (2), junior Elle Otto (2) and sophomore Kellen Fife.
HAWKEYE POLL
Iowa made its first appearance in the final national rankings this season.
- United Soccer Coaches Poll: No. 24
- College Soccer News: No. 22
- Top Drawer Soccer: No. 21
- Massey Ratings: No. 23
- Rating Percentage Index (RPI): No. 30
ALL-IOWA
The Hawkeyes announced postseason team-award winners as voted on by players and coaches.
- Cary and Durr were named Iowa Co-MVPs. Durr repeats as an MVP from last season; Cary previously was a three-time recipient of the Hawk Award.
- In her first season as Hawkeye, McGroarty was voted Iowa Offensive Player of the Year.
- Greer was named Iowa Defensive Player of the Year.
- Bush was named Iowa Newcomer of the Year.
- Kane won the Hawk Award for exemplifying the phrase “win, graduate, do it right.”
- Johnston, Enneking and Cary were voted team captains at the start of the season.
B1G AWARDS
Two Hawkeyes earned all-conference recognition at the end of the regular season. Cary was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team, while freshman Sofia Bush was an All-Big Ten Freshman.
- Following the Big Ten Tournament, Cary, Enneking and McGroarty were named to the All-Big Ten Tournament Team. Cary was awarded Defensive Player of the Tournament.
- Fourteen Iowa players earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition for their achievements in the classroom and on the pitch. Iowa has produced 313 Academic All-Big Ten selections since 1997.
ALL-REGION EXCELLENCE
Cary and Enneking were named United Soccer Coaches First Team All-North Region on Nov. 28. They became just the third and fourth Hawkeyes to earn first-team regional honors, joining Cloe Lacasse and Melanie Pickert in 2014.
- Five players earned CSC Academic All-District honors, a team best. They were Otto, Roling, Doherty, Cary and Johnston. Cary is a three-time recipient.
HAWKEYE HAPPENINGS
Since 2019…
- Iowa has won two Big Ten Tournament Titles, made three NCAA Tournament appearances and won 10 postseason games. Prior to 2019, the Hawkeyes had made one NCAA Tournament appearance and not yet won a conference title.
- The Hawkeyes have won seven games against ranked opponents (end of season rankings), including five wins against top-15 opponents and two wins against top-five teams (match-day rankings). Iowa has posted 42 shutouts over that period.
- Iowa set a single-game home attendance record of 2,639 (Nov. 10, 2023).
- The Hawkeyes made their first appearance in the United Soccer Coaches final poll (No. 24) and set multiple new high-water marks in major national rankings, peaking at No. 14 in the College Soccer News rankings on Nov. 5, 2023.
STAYING HOME
Seniors Macy Ennking, Rielee Fetty, Maggie Johnston and Kelli McGroarty announced plans to return for the 2024 season. Each player started in at least 19 games during the 2023 season.
NEW FACES
Iowa signed six student-athletes from the Class of 2028 on Nov. 8. The class includes Charlotte Bien (Bloomfield Hills, Michigan), Keira Billis (Oxford, Michigan), Berkely Binggeli (Heber City, Utah), Caleigh Collard (Byron Center, Michigan), Berit Parten (St. Paul, Minnesota) and Abby Warner (Pella, Iowa).