Standing at the corner of the field, sophomore defender Riley Whitaker was ready to do what she had done many times before this season, attempt a corner kick.

Normally, she would kick the ball short to one of her teammates or kick it high so one of them could head it in. But that was not the case for one kick during Iowa’s Oct. 13 matchup against Maryland.

In the first half against the Terrapins, Whitaker curved the ball into the net to score her first goal of the season. 

Though this was Whitaker’s first goal of the season, she has been making a big impact all season long. 

She leads the team in minutes this season with 1,382 and has played the entire game in 13 contests. She also has three assists. 

“I think my teammates have really helped me,” Whitaker said. “They are always talking to me, telling me positionally where to go, and they really encourage me, so that has helped me push through.”

Whitaker’s love for the game contributes to her significant playing time as well.

“She cares so much about the game of soccer and this program that she’s willing to do the little things to get her body back to as close to 100 percent as possible,” head coach Dave DiIanni said. “And when you do the little things and you sacrifice off the field to be able to be as good as you can on the field then you have a chance to be successful, and that’s who she is.”

Not only does Whitaker have the stamina and determination to play for long periods of time, she is also a great defender. This gives her teammates reassurance during games.

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“Riley is probably the most solid defender I’ve ever played with,” senior captain and defender Hannah Drkulec said. “Honestly, it’s just so comforting knowing she’s back there because when the ball gets through and she’s chasing it down, you know she’s going to win it and get possession back for us.”

Whitaker is known for being relentless during games.

This was particularly the case in the Sept. 15 game at Notre Dame, which the Hawkeyes won 3-1.

“The second half, it was more of a defensive half for us,” Drkulec said. “And there were times where it was just everyone’s legs were fatigue, but she was down there chasing the ball, shielding it out so that we could have a goal kick instead of a corner.” 

Before she landed at Iowa, Whitaker generally didn’t do corner kicks, but that has changed in her time as a Hawkeye. 

“Usually, most corner kicks I’m trying to get it to the back post because that’s where Hannah’s usually going,” Whitaker said. “She’s incredible in the air so I try to get it up in the air so she can finish it.” 

The one part of Whitaker’s game that hasn’t be displayed much this season is her ability on free kicks on top of the box

“I think that’s something we need to get her in position more,” DiIanni said. “Because she can score some goals from that space as well.”

After this season, Whitaker hopes to take on an even greater role on the team.

“I hope to really, especially after next year when we lose a lot of seniors, to step into a leadership role more and help the upperclassmen and continue to build the program,” Whitaker said.