HAWK TALK

November 2017

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23 T he University of Iowa soccer program is trend- ing up. e Hawkeyes finished the 2017 season with nine wins, including four in Big Ten Conference play, to advance to the Big Ten Tournament for the first time in three seasons. Iowa took top-seeded Ohio State to the brink in the quarterfinals before falling 2-1 in double overtime. "I couldn't be more proud of this team and the growth it made during the season," said Iowa head coach Dave DiIanni. "I can't say thank you enough to the seniors, who helped grow the culture of this program the last four years. ey are great exam- ples of what Hawkeye leaders are supposed to be." Iowa went 5-2 during nonconference play be- fore starting Big Ten Conference play 0-3-1. e Hawkeyes turned the table on their season with a 1-0 victory over No. 23 Rutgers — the program's first win over a ranked foe since 2014 — before go- ing 4-2-1 to close the regular season. "is group was resilient when they got knocked down," said DiIanni. "ey always came back the next day and performed. e last couple of years was a challenge for everybody, but (getting back to the Big Ten Tournament) is a credit to the hard work our players have put in the last couple of years." While six seniors — Madeline Crowdy, Laura Lainson, Karly Stuenkel, Katharine Woodruff, Tina Cardamone, and Rachele Armand — depart via graduation, Iowa will have a loaded roster re- turning in 2018. e Hawkeyes will return their top three goal and point scorers, including forward Devin Burns, who finished her sophomore season with nine strikes — the most for the program since 2014. Iowa has sophomore Claire Graves, who posted seven shutouts, back in goal. Iowa will return 26 of its 31 goals and 22 of its 31 assists. e Hawkeyes will have nine starters and 17 letterwinners back, including third-team All- Big Ten selection Natalie Winters. "is is an exciting time for this program, bring- ing back nine starters, many who have two full years of experience," said DiIanni. "e work that this team puts in this spring and summer will be a direct reflection of how much better we can be next year. "e bar needs to be raised for everyone involved in Iowa soccer so that the investment matches the goals."

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