Looking into a box score after an Iowa soccer match, one is bound to find Iowa forwards Cloe Lacasse and Ashley Catrell involved in some scoring play.

The two forwards were the driving force behind Iowa’s attack last season, and this season is no different. Through the nine games played this season, the duo is leading the team in points with nine each.

“I think there’s an understanding of what type of balls they like to play to each other and there’s a good understanding of when somebody is taking on someone one on one, where the other person has to be moving to get a pass,” head coach Ron Rainey said. “Those have been good things we’ve seen in games as well.”

Lacasse and Catrell’s main role is to create goal-scoring opportunities. As a whole, the Hawks have excelled in this aspect of the game. In their nine games this season, Iowa has outshot their opponents 150 to 65.

Most of these goal-scoring opportunities have come from the feet of Lacasse and Catrell. Of those 150 shots Iowa has attempted, 65 of them have come from the two teammates.

The duo of Lacasse and Catrell wasn’t always such a potent aspect of the Hawks offense. In 2011, while Lacasse was excelling as a freshman on the field, Catrell saw limited playing time.

But as the 2012 season rolled around, Catrell earned a starting role and the increased playing time that came with it. The two clicked and led Iowa to 12-6-3 record and combined for 20 goals and 11 assists.

“I’ve become more confident from last year,” Catrell said. “Especially being a senior, just knowing my role and being a team leader for the younger kids.”

The two have brought their experience of last year into this season — combining for 5 goals and 8 assists.

“We’ve had the experience together so it was a good transition,” Lacasse said. “We know what each other’s strengths and weaknesses are so we can play off of them and help each other out.”

For Catrell, the difference in this season comes down to being more comfortable on the field and knowing how to play off of each other.

“After these years together we kind of know where were going to be,” Catrell said. “I know where Cloe’s going to make a run for me to play it to her. Or I know where to get open as she takes the ball down the line.”

One aspect the duo has improved upon last season is their passing — or at least judging by the stat sheet. Catrell currently has three assists on the year and Lacasse has collected five of her own — approaching their previous season-highs of four and seven, respectively.

“It’s definitely something we’ve practiced,” Lacasse said. “Any offensive player knows that goals or assists are the same thing as long as they going in the back of the net. It’s something we take great pride in.”