Oct. 11, 2004
IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa field hockey team swept both Big Ten Player of the Week awards given Monday after a 3-0 weekend which included a 4-3 overtime win over No. 9 Michigan. Junior midfielder Debbie Birrell was named Offensive Player of the Week, while senior goalkeeper Barb Weinberg was named Defensive Player of the Week.
Birrell had an outstanding weekend for the Hawkeyes, scoring three goals and one assist for a total of seven points in three games. The Frankfort, KY, native started her award-winning weekend by sustaining a deep cut over her left eye in the first overtime against Pacific. After being helped from the field, Birrell’s head was wrapped in gauze and she hit the field for the second overtime, where she promptly scored the game-winning goal.
In Sunday’s upset of Michigan, Birrell led the way with two goals and an assist.
Weinberg also had a great weekend guarding the cage, leading Iowa to a pair of overtime wins and shutting out Ohio State. Against the Buckeyes, Weinberg made three saves, including one on a penalty stroke to preserve Iowa’s 1-0 lead.
Against Michigan, Weinberg was a stone wall in the second half and overtime, and helped stop four consecutive penalty corners the Wolverines earned with no time remaining in regulation.
The Hawkeyes return to action this weekend with a pair of games in State College, PA. Iowa will play Penn State Friday at 4 p.m., then battle Quinnipiac Saturday at 1 p.m. All times are CT.