Five different players scored five goals Saturday evening as the Iowa women’s soccer team opened its exhibition spring season with a 5-0 win over instate foe Drake.
Goals came from Ashley Catrell, Katie Nasenberry, Mel Pickert, Anne Marie Thomas and Nicole Urban.
“It was great to get out and play another opponent in Drake, who had a good season this year,” said head coach Ron Rainey, who guided Iowa to a 12-6-3 record and a Big Ten Tournament berth in the fall. “We’re excited to get our first look as we head into the 2013 fall season. This was a tribute to how hard this team has been working and how hard our strength and condition staff has been working with the team.”
All-Big Ten performer Cloe Lacasse assisted on Iowa’s first goal from Catrell. Catrell then delivered an assist of her own a few minutes later as she found Nasenberry.
Pickert put Iowa up 3-0 as she roped her free kick from 30 yards out to the top left corner of the goal.
Thomas’ goal came off a corner kick. Catrell found Alex Melin in space off the corner and then Melin played the ball to Thomas at the far post. Thomas put the goal away with ease.
Urban scored the final tally of the match after putting a putback past Drake’s goalkeeper following a hard shot from Catrell.
Sophomore Kiley Beck and freshman Hannah Clark combined to keep a clean sheet in goal for the Hawkeyes.
“It was great to play 11 aside in this facility with about 150 people watching,” said Rainey. “The field turf here plays like real grass, and it was great to showcase this facility.”
The Hawkeyes will continue their spring season on March 9, traveling to Missouri. The Tigers went 14-7-1 last season and qualified for the NCAA Tournament.
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