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Q & A: Caitlin Brown, Women's Soccer Caitlin Brown is a defender and co-captain for the University of Iowa women's soccer team. Brown, a junior, is from Ann Arbor, Mich. The Hawkeyes won a school-record 15 matches this season, finished runner-up in the Big Ten Conference Tournament, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program histor Every team talks in the preseason about going to the NCAA Tournament. Why were you confident the University of Iowa could do it? We had the ability to do it every year, but this year we doubled our efforts and were all committed to getting there. We knew it was going to take extra training sessions and those few extra minutes after practice. As a group, we were committed to doing what was necessary. How does it feel to know that this team will be forever referenced when talking about the best Hawkeye teams ever? It's great to be the first team to get there, but I don't think anyone is satisfied with it. Nobody wants to just make the tournament, we want to do damage and make an impact. In a season of highlights, what were yours? Beating Penn State on our home field was awesome and going to the Big Ten Tournament final. Those were two moments that stood out for me. What does it mean to be a co-captain of this group during your junior season? It's an honor to have that respect from your teammates and have them regard you as someone they can go to with stuff, but there are a ton of people that deserve it. There are two captains, but I don't think there are only two leaders or two people that act as captains on this team. Why do you believe this program can keep moving forward even after such a remarkable season? We're not satisfied with saying we made the tournament or beating Penn State. Everyone wants to win the Big Ten Tournament; we want to win games in the NCAA Tournament. I don't think as a program we're satisfied with what has been done so far. After a great regular season, this team actually turned it up in the postseason. What keys made that possible? We committed ourselves to doing the work. To want to continue in the postseason, you have to do the little things throughout October and November and mentally refocus. We peaked at the right time. You are on the field and the NCAA Tournament is about to begin. What thoughts are going through your head? There were jitters and nerves for sure, but there was an attitude of what do we have to lose? We wanted to have no regrets. Iowa's first postseason women's soccer victory came Nov. 6 against No. 7 Michigan. You are from Ann Arbor. Was there extra significance for you that day? There was a little bit extra sleekness to it because it's my hometown, but it's like any other Big Ten game. It's still the same energy. That was the first time since I have been here that we beat Michigan, so that was cool. My freshman year we tied them, and we lost to them sophomore and junior year. It was nice to get that win. You are one of two Ironwomen on the 2013 Hawkeye team who have never left the field this season. What is your secret for stamina? It was the goal of everyone coming in fit for preseason and everyone being on an even playing field. In the back, it's not in the midfield where you're making a 120 and sprinting forward and sprinting back. That makes it a little easier. Anyone could have done it because we had the goal of coming in and being fit. Opponents have attempted 12 shots per game this season. How have you helped manage to keep the pressure of goalkeeper Hannah Clark? "One of the things we pride ourselves on as a team is overall work ethic and defending as a group. When we defend well, we attack well. We're able to absorb pressure and counter out of it. We know that's one of the things we do well as a group, so we pride ourselves on doing it. 25