Led by a pair of goalkeepers in University of Iowa graduate student Taylor Kane and second-year Fernanda Mayrink, the team’s defense has found itself in a position united under one common objective — victories.
Kane and Mayrink have split starts so far into the season, with Kane holding a 3-2 advantage. The two have complemented each other nicely, as the Hawkeyes have a 3-1-1 record this year.
The two combine for over 14 saves and have only allowed five goals on the season, earning Hawkeye soccer a No. 10 ranking from Top Drawer Soccer and a No. 11 ranking from United Soccer Coaches.
Kane spent the last three years patiently waiting for her turn to shine as the backup to Macy Enneking, Iowa’s all-time leader in shutouts.
Kane’s patience and hard work has indeed paid off, as the Hawkeye goalkeeper just received Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Week honors for recording two saves and a shutout 3-0 win against Western Michigan.
“It’s been a journey with Iowa soccer. I’ve loved every moment,” Kane said. “I put a lot of hard work and investment into this team and program. It’s definitely nice to have that recognition and to be acknowledged by the conference. But obviously, being a goalkeeper, we can’t be successful without all the people in front of us.”
Iowa goalkeepers coach JP Valadares was thrilled to see Kane’s hard work get recognition from the conference.
“Goalkeeper of the week is very awesome,” he said. “It is very rewarding as a coach. I’m happy for her, and she’s been earning it. She’s done a great job to keep investing in college soccer even when we are in the off months.”
Kane’s recent honor is a gentle reminder of how difficult it is to be honored at the goalkeeper position.
“It’s awesome. We talk so much to these kids about investing into the process,” Valadares said. “When you talk about goalkeeping, it’s a very hard position. We have a very unique situation where every goalkeeper — one of them has to be playing. For a goalkeeper to invest in the process is usually a long-term thing. But it’s a daily investment, too.”
Born in Santa Barbara, California, Kane spent one year at Pomona-Pitzer College. At the Division III school, Kane compiled a 9-0-1 record with 23 saves and a .920 save percentage before transferring up to the Big Ten.
Hailing from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Mayrink transferred into the Iowa soccer program last January after spending one year at Barry University. At Barry, Mayrink posted three shutouts along with 49 saves and a .817 save percentage.
Mayrink has also brought experience from her time on the Brazilian National team to Iowa, where she gained valuable experience in the U20 FIFA World Cup.
“The experience from the Brazilian National team improved my ability to play with my feet,” Mayrink said. “Brazilian culture is very soccer-centric — being comfortable with the ball, being deceptive with the ball, and commanding the game with your feet.”
Playing on a global stage added perspective for Mayrink. The motivation to win for her country applies to winning for her college.
“I definitely brought my competitive side here,” Mayrink said. “To make it on the national team is competitive already. Then, being able to play on the national team, you have to embrace the competition.”
Communication on the field and during practice is paramount to a team’s success. What makes Mayrink and Kane’s relationship on the field special is how they have had to persevere through a language barrier.
Mayrink mainly speaks Portuguese, so she and Kane had to form some special communication on the pitch.
“Since I got here, Taylor has been paramount for my learning on how to communicate on the field,” Mayrink said. “Since the beginning, she’s been very patient with me.”
Mayrink said the process started with Kane teaching her how to give commands to teammates.
The relationship transitioned from simple jokes to Kane and Mayrink listening to Brazilian music on the field together, even before big games.
The close relationship, combined with their different experiences, has strengthened the Iowa defense.
Part of the pair’s strength is the fact they both have different playing styles when defending the net. Valadares explained while each is improving on areas of weakness, the duo sport contrasting strengths. Kane, standing taller at 5-foot-10, is more effective on aerial shots and crosses. Mayrink, on the other hand, is more agile and technical with her feet.
Featuring two options in net, ready to go at a moment’s notice, has allowed the Hawkeye defense to shine. As the season continues to progress, look for the solid Iowa goalkeepers to be the anchor of the Iowa defense.