By Jordan Zuniga
[email protected]
It was a rough first weekend of conference play for the Iowa soccer team — it fell to Penn State and Ohio State. When the final whistle blew after the match against the Buckeyes, it marked the Hawkeyes’ third-straight loss.
Looking at the numbers behind the pair of losses, one may suspect the defense as Iowa’s weak point, because the Hawkeyes rank sixth in the Big Ten in goals per game.
But — contrary to the adage numbers never lie — this stat is extremely misleading; 13 of the Hawkeyes’ 17 goals this season have come in two games, and they have been shut out four times, three of the scoreless outings coming in the last three games.
Iowa’s offense has struggled with consistency but its defense has been superb so far. Here’s where Iowa ranks in the Big Ten in certain defensive statistics.
Shots allowed: 76, 1st in the Big Ten
In their first nine games, the Hawkeyes top the Big Ten with the fewest total shots allowed.
Other notable teams who share Iowa’s claim to top-five fewest shots allowed are No. 12 Wisconsin (82) and No. 6 Penn State (85). That Iowa ranks so highly in this category is a tribute to its veteran defensive line.
The defense is built around two fifth-year seniors: Corey Burns and Rachele Armand. Burns has started every game for the Hawkeyes, and Armand started every game before missing the last two because of an injury.
Corner kicks allowed: 33, 5th in the Big Ten
Coach Dave DiIanni and his team will tell you that one of their weaknesses this season has been defending set pieces. So, finding themselves high on the list of teams that give the least number of corner kicks bodes well for Iowa.
So far this season, Iowa has only had to defend against 33 corner kicks.
Wisconsin and Penn State again join Iowa in the top five in this category, with two other notable Big Ten schools, Ohio State and Rutgers, ranking right below them.
Once again, the credit for this stat goes to a defensive line, which has worked tirelessly in ensuring its clearances fly over sidelines and not goal lines.
Goals per game: 1.11, 12th in the Big Ten
Even with allowing the fewest shots per game, the Hawkeyes still somehow rank at the bottom of the Big Ten in goals allowed per game, with 1.11.
While holding an opponent to around 1 goal a game may seem like a pretty good number, in Big Ten soccer, even 1 goal can sting (Iowa lost its two Big Ten games this season by 1 and 2 goals).
It’s hard to pin down exactly why Iowa has given up so many goals; the Hawkeyes have succeeded in numerous defensive areas on the season.
One explanation may be the way they defend set pieces, as 4 of their 10 goals allowed have come on a corner or free kick. Luckily, Iowa is aware of the problem with set pieces.
After the loss on Sept. 24, in which Iowa allowed a set-piece goal, Claire Graves said her team needs “to be more mentally engaged” during set pieces.
If the Hawkeyes can correct their problems on set pieces, Iowa’s 1.11 goals per game mark will certainly decrease, strengthening one of the best defenses in the Big Ten.