IOWA Magazine | 07-29-2021

Iowa Soccer Operations Facility Opens

1 minute read
The Hawkeye Big Ten Tournament championship team celebrates the program's 25th year this fall with a new home.
Rendering of the Iowa Soccer Operations Facility Photo: HAWKEYESPORTS.COM The Hawkeyes tour the Iowa Soccer Operations Facility for the first time.

When Dave DiIanni took the reins of the Iowa soccer program in 2014, he had a vision for the future.

"It was my dream to have a facility next to our beautiful field," says DiIanni. "I wanted a home for our student-athletes' one location for everything they need."

In August 2021, DiIanni's dream came true with the recently completed $4 million operations facility located on the west side of the Iowa Soccer Complex, which includes locker rooms, a game-day suite, athletic training room, and coaches' suite. The facility has been funded by a $3 million anonymous gift, donations from fans and friends, and an ongoing $150,000 crowdfunding campaign to name the home locker room in honor of Kim Olsen White (10BA)—a former soccer student-athlete who died last year after a long battle with cancer.

As Iowa soccer enters its 25th season this fall, DiIanni believes there's never been a better time for the program. The Hawkeyes are coming off back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances and are currently the reigning Big Ten Tournament champions. The Hawkeyes return all but one starter from last year, and DiIanni will look to five student-athletes—Samantha Cary, Josie Durr, Rielee Fetty, Hailey Rydberg, and Sara Wheaton—to lead the Hawkeyes on the pitch.

After winning the program's first NCAA Tournament game last season, DiIanni hopes to build on the team's recent success.

"Our student-athletes continue to raise the bar in terms of what we strive for each year," says DiIanni, "but our goals are always to produce better students, people, and athletes."

Support the Kim Olsen White Locker Room crowdfunding campaign.

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Top 5 From the Past 25

Iowa soccer has had some tremendous talent over the past 25 years. Head Coach Dave DiIanni gave us his five most influential Iowa soccer players from the program's history.

  1. Cloe Lacasse (14BA)—A two-time All-Big Ten selection who is tied for most career points in school history, Lacasse is currently playing professionally in Portugal. Hear her story on a recent HERkys' Voice podcast.
  2. Sarah Lynch-Fishbune (03BA)—A three-time All-Big Ten selection who is the only soccer student-athlete in the UI Athletics Hall of Fame, Lynch-Fishbune is Iowa's all-time leader in goals.
  3. Gabe Mauren (99BA)—A two-time letter winner who is fifth in career saves at Iowa, Mauren helped build the program's strong foundation.
  4. Stephanie Swanson Rasing (11BSE)—A two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and four-year letter winner, Swanson Rasing continues to be a loyal advocate through her support in the stands and charitable giving.
  5. Sarah Langlas Kinman (12BBA)—A Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and four-year letter winner, Langlas Kinman grew immensely as a student, athlete, and person at Iowa—something DiIanni hopes all his players do as Hawkeyes.

Top 5 From the Past 25

Iowa soccer has had some tremendous talent over the past 25 years. Head Coach Dave DiIanni gave us his five most influential Iowa soccer players from the program's history.

  1. Cloe Lacasse (14BA)—A two-time All-Big Ten selection who is tied for most career points in school history, Lacasse is currently playing professionally in Portugal. Hear her story on a recent HERkys' Voice podcast.
  2. Sarah Lynch-Fishbune (03BA)—A three-time All-Big Ten selection who is the only soccer student-athlete in the UI Athletics Hall of Fame, Lynch-Fishbune is Iowa's all-time leader in goals.
  3. Gabe Mauren (99BA)—A two-time letter winner who is fifth in career saves at Iowa, Mauren helped build the program's strong foundation.
  4. Stephanie Swanson Rasing (11BSE)—A two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and four-year letter winner, Swanson Rasing continues to be a loyal advocate through her support in the stands and charitable giving.
  5. Sarah Langlas Kinman (12BBA)—A Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and four-year letter winner, Langlas Kinman grew immensely as a student, athlete, and person at Iowa—something DiIanni hopes all his players do as Hawkeyes.
Join our email list
Get the latest news and information for alumni, fans, and friends of the University of Iowa.
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