Nov. 7, 2004
EVANSTON, IL – The University of Iowa field hockey team was defeated in the 2004 Big Ten Tournament Championship game by the University of Michigan, 3-2, Sunday at Northwestern University. With the win, Michigan earned an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Iowa will await the NCAA Selection Show, which will be televised on College Sports Television (CSTV) Tuesday night at 6 p.m. CT.
Michigan controlled the pace of the game in the first half, out-shooting the Hawkeyes 9-3. It was the Hawkeyes that struck first, however, when junior Debbie Birrell took a pass from freshman Caroline Blaum and sent it to the back of the cage during a mad scramble in front Wolverine goalkeeper Beth Riley.
The Wolverines tied things up at the 27:01 mark when Katie Morris buried a rebound. Michigan took the lead in the final two minutes of the half when a Kara Lentz shot went off the left post and deflected right to the stick of Mary Fox, who gave the Wolverines a 2-1 lead.
At the 51:46 mark, Jessica Blake ripped a shot on a penalty corner that deflected off an Iowa defender and past first team all-Big Ten goalkeeper Barb Weinberg. Weinberg made eight saves on the day.
Just five minutes later, the Hawkeyes cut the lead to 3-2 on a penalty corner when senior Tammy Leister converted for her first-career goal on a direct shot from the top of the circle. Sarah Dawson and Heather Schnepf picked up the assists.
The Hawkeyes were unable to slip the tying goal past Riley, despite out-shooting Michigan 6-4 in the second half.
Schnepf and sophomore defender Kelly Slattery were named to the all-tournament team.
A replay of the game will be broadcast on CSTV Monday night at 8 p.m. CT.