The Iowa women’s soccer team has been stout on defense this season, but fourth-year goalkeeper and captain Macy Enneking has answered the call when needed.

Iowa’s defense has limited its opposition’s shots on goal this season, but Enneking still has to stay engaged and ready throughout the whole game.

“The games I don’t receive a lot of action are probably the most difficult games to play mentally,” Enneking said. “Soccer is such a momentum sport and one goal scoring opportunity is all it takes to completely change the mentality of the game.”

Enneking has remained focused during Iowa’s matches despite that hurdle. She has allowed just three goals on the season — including five shutout wins.

“We can help Macy train that,” Iowa head coach Dave DiIanni said. “But it really goes back to Macy’s ability to stay focused and locked in on the game, knowing that you might not do anything for 80 minutes, and then for 10 minutes, you might have to make a couple of big saves and help us save the game.”

But Enneking said the biggest goal for her is to relax the team. 

She wants everyone — from the forwards to the back line — to be confident knowing that she’s in goal and locked in, ready to make a save when called upon.

“Her presence is pretty calming,” Iowa first-year midfielder Millie Greer said. “She’s a great communicator and is clear about what she wants from the back [line]. She’s pretty easy to play with.”

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Enneking thinks the team’s comfortability with her in goal leads to the midfielder and forwards taking more risks going forward. She said the team trusts her so much that a mistake from them won’t hurt the team. 

Enneking thinks defenders, midfielders, and forwards often lose their cool and worry when they lose the ball, but she hopes she alleviates that concern and allows for a more comfortable and fun atmosphere.

But one aspect of her game that she’s worked on developing is her distribution. 

“Her distribution is great,” Iowa third-year forward Kenzie Roling said. “It allows me to get set, and I know where she’s going to play the ball.

“Her [passing] range is crazy,” Roling added. “It’s really nice having her back there because she can start the buildup, but she can also play long and create for us.”

And Enneking continues to grow into a leadership role for the Hawkeyes as she distributes and facilitates. She was named a captain this season alongside fellow fourth-years Samantha Cary and Maggie Johnston.

“I saw a video after the goal was given up against Illinois,” DiIanni said. “She got the group together, and she was communicating with them and trying to rally the team, and that’s where she’s shown the most progress.”

DiIanni added that the Hilliard, Ohio, native has always been a hard worker and a good example for the rest of the team. 

Enneking has loved playing at Iowa and said it was an immediate culture fit. She found Iowa’s “hardworking” and “gritty” playstyle drew her to the program.

“Iowa definitely wasn’t on my radar when I was first thinking about going to college,” Enneking said. “But after talking to the folks on campus and the coaching staff, I knew it would be an amazing choice.”

She said the team welcomed her with open arms and that the defensive playstyle that Iowa employs helped ease her into the team and grow in the Big Ten competition. 

But upon looking long term, Enneking is still figuring out how she’ll continue her playing career. 

She knows she wants to continue playing soccer but is unsure if that means declaring for the National Women’s Soccer League draft, playing overseas, or taking advantage of a fifth-year at Iowa. 

Regardless, she’s living in the moment, and right now, she’s focused on developing her game and continuing the Hawkeyes’ push in the Big Ten.