Oct. 11, 2003
IOWA CITY – The No. 6 University of Iowa field hockey team was defeated by the ninth-ranked Michigan State Spartans, 3-1, Saturday at Grant Field.
The Hawkeyes (9-4, 1-2) jumped out of the gates with some spirited play against Michigan State (10-3, 3-0). Iowa drew first blood, taking a 1-0 lead just 7:25 into the game. On a free hit into the circle, sophomore midfielder Debbie Birrell threaded a beautiful pass to the stick of junior forward Sarah Dawson, who knocked the ball to the back of the cage.
The momentum carried the Hawkeyes into the waning moments of the second half, when the Spartans tied the game up at 1-1 with a penalty corner goal with 1:01 left in the period. Veerle Goudswaard connected on the assist from Alexandra Kyser.
The goal seemed to take the life out of the Hawkeyes, while Michigan State used the momentum to dominate play in the second half.
Michelle Huynh-Ba scored on a rebound at 41:29 to give Michigan State the 2-1 lead. The Spartans added an insurance goal in the final minutes by earning and converting a penalty stroke. Kyser took the stroke for Michigan State.
Iowa returns to action next weekend when they travel to Ohio State for a 3 p.m. game Friday.