Aug. 25, 2007
Ann Arbor, MI – The University of Iowa field hockey team opened its season with a 3-0 win over No. 2 Wake Forest. Juniors Lauren Pfeiffer and Lissa Munley shined for the Hawkeyes during a wet and dreary day in Michigan. Pfeiffer scored two goals along with one assist, while the goalkeeper, Munley, recorded her fourth-career shutout by stopping five shots.
The first half was a defensive battle. In the 16th minute, the tenth-ranked Hawkeyes were awarded the first penalty corner of the game. Junior Caroline Blaum pushed the ball to sophomore Tricia Dean, but her shot was blocked by the Demon Deacons defense. Iowa regained control of the ball and set-up junior Caitlin McCurdy for a shot, but once again, the shot was turned away by the opposition.
In the 23rd minute, the Hawkeyes were awarded a penalty stroke. Pfeiffer placed the ball in the lower left corner of the cage, but the Wake Forest goalkeeper was there to block the ball.
The Demon Deacons attempted their first shot during the 26th minute of play. Munley, the Hawkeye goalkeeper, stood strong and denied the shot on goal.
With only four minutes remaining in the half, Wake Forest was awarded two penalty corners while attempting three shots, all of which were stopped by the Hawkeye defense.
The tenth-ranked Hawkeyes were in a scoreless tie with the defending national runner-up going into halftime.
The second half began much like the first, a defensive struggle. Wake Forest was unable to convert on three shots within a three minute span of time. Two of the shots were saved by Munley and the other was wide. Iowa returned to offense only to have three shots of its own denied.
During the 58th minute, the Hawkeye offense emerged. Iowa was awarded their fourth penalty corner. Sophomore Jess Werley pushed the ball to Pfeiffer who broke the scoreless tie by blasting the ball past the Demon Deacon defense.
Only two minutes later, Iowa was able to increase its lead. After receiving a pass from Pfeiffer, junior Roz Ellis was able to sneak the ball into the goal.
In the 66th minute, the Hawkeyes were awarded their second penalty stroke of the game. Pfeiffer, once again took the penalty for the Hawkeyes. This time she lifted the ball past the goalkeeper for her second goal of the game to making the final score 3-0.
The No. 10 Hawkeyes will return to action tomorrow in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge against No. 3 North Carolina in Ann Arbor, MI at 10 a.m. (CT).
Scoring 1st 2nd FinalIOWA 0 3 3WF 0 0 0
IOWA Pfeiffer 57:36/2ndIOWA Ellis (Pfeiffer) 59:07/2ndIOWA Pfeiffer (Stroke) 65:55/2nd
Shots – WF 13, IOWA 11Penalty Corners – WF 8, IOWA 7Saves – Lissa Munley (IOWA) 5, Crystal Duffield (WF) 3
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