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53 W hen the University of Iowa soccer team opened the season against Wisconsin on Feb. 2o, it was a return to the pitch in 462 days. Much has changed in that time. e Hawkeyes are playing an unorthodox, conference-only spring season due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the team had to host its early-season "home" games indoors at the TBK Sports Complex in Bettendorf, Iowa. e biggest change, however, has been the void le by 12 seniors on the 2019 NCAA Tournament squad. One of the most veteran groups in the country last time out, the Hawkeyes are now one of the youngest with only one senior on the roster. Team captain Riley Whitaker says the difference has been significant. "Last year's seniors were all such good leaders and showed us the ropes, so we were kind of just following along with them," says Whitaker, a defender from Ankeny, Iowa, who is out for the season following knee surgery. "When they all le, there was a big hole." Junior Hailey Rydberg, the team's other captain, says she and Whitaker know it is now their turn to lead. "When they le, it kind of forced me to adjust quickly and get into that leadership role," says Rydberg. "It has been a smooth adjustment, but at the same time, it was important that I had them the first two years to guide me, teach me and help me get to the leadership point that I am at now." Rydberg says establishing positive chemistry has been crucial for the team as the season gets underway. "Even from the start of the season to now, I've already seen a huge improvement of team chemistry on and off the field," says Rydberg. "I think it has gotten to the point that everyone on the team is able to understand and accept their role." Whitaker says the next step is translating the team's dynamic in practice and the locker room to games. "It helped that we had so long before the season started to practice because we were able to build chemistry, but it's different once you get to games," says Whitaker. "I think that's something we still need to work on, but we are making good progress." Iowa started the season with a string of road losses, but the team was able to secure its first Big Ten point aer battling to a scoreless draw against Michigan. e captains say that the stretch has provided vital game experience for the young team. "(e underclassmen) have done a good job adjusting quickly," says Rydberg. "I think that if we didn't have those tough games in the beginning, we wouldn't have grown as much as we have in such a short time. We need to keep taking it day- by-day and keep focusing on little things to see if we can get the results that we need." MARCH SCHEDULE March 14 Minnesota March 18 at Rutgers March 21 at Maryland March 25 Penn State March 28 Purdue