The Iowa soccer team is back in action this weekend as they travel to take on Penn State Friday, and Ohio State on its way back towards Iowa on Sunday.

Penn State boasts possibly the best team the Hawkeyes have seen this season. The Nittany Lions are ranked No. 16 in the nation, and are the first ranked team Iowa has played against.

Conversely, The Nittany Lions have already played four ranked opponents, and have won five straight matches to move their record to 5-2-2.

If the Hawkeyes can pull out a win in Happy Valley, it would be relatively uncommon in the series against Penn State — the Nittany Lions hold a 21-2 series edge against Iowa.

Ohio State also poses a rather large challenge to Iowa, as it too received votes in the national polls this week.

The Buckeyes are 6-3-1 this season, but are 0-1-1 in Big Ten play thus far. The Buckeyes have peppered opposing goalkeepers to the tune of 107 shots this season, though that number seems relatively small compared to the 171 shots the Hawkeyes have taken.

Lindsay Agnew is the player to watch for the Buckeyes, as she’s been a scoring machine. She already has five goals and 13 points this season.

Iowa has had more success against Ohio State than it has against Penn State, but still trail the all-time series 12-6-1.

-Blake Dowson