The Iowa soccer team will look to rebound following its first loss of the season when it travels to Champaign, Ill., to take on Illinois.

Iowa’s record sits at 8-1-0. One category the Hawkeyes have had an advantage in every one of their games is the number of shots they take, outshooting their opponents 150 to 65.

“I think we’ve got a little bit better with figuring out how we’re going to score a goal in a game,” head coach Ron Rainey said. “And that’s led to more chances which has led to more shots.”

Although this disparity is likely to grow smaller as the Big Ten season rolls around, Iowa showed no trouble in outshooting Michigan in its first Big Ten game, 12-7.

“I thought the pace of the game was a little slower than we think this Friday will be,” Rainey said. “We have to make sure we stay focused in any down periods or restarts.”

Iowa has not only shot early and often, it has also shot on target. Of the 150 shots attempted this season, 72 of them have been on goal — or 48 percent. This ranks third among Big Ten teams this season.

These opportunities have led Iowa to outscore its opponents 17-6 in the early portion of the schedule.

Interestingly enough, despite putting up an average of 16.67 shots per game and most of those shots being on target, Iowa ranks in the lower half of Big Ten teams in terms of total goals scored. Iowa’s 17 goals ranks 10th among Big Ten teams — an average of 1.89 goals per game.

“When we get good positive attacks, we just have to start capitalizing on them,” junior Cloe Lacasse said. “We are getting a lot of shots; we have to start making sure they go in and making sure we have the bodies in the box.”

Iowa’s road trip will continue on Sept. 29, when it takes on Northwestern in Evanston, Ill. But for now, the Hawkeyes focus remains on bouncing back from a tough loss at home.

“I think our main focus is to keep our heads up after [the Michigan game], senior Ashley Catrell said. “Just know that we played well and come out a little harder against Illinois.”