Sept. 11, 2007
IOWA CITY – The third STX – National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Poll was released today and the Iowa Hawkeyes are ranked fourth in the nation for the second straight week.
The Hawkeyes stay at No. 4 after defeating No. 16 Louisville Friday, (4-3) and Missouri State Sunday (6-1) at Grant Field.
“Last weekend was a big test for us.” Head Coach Tracey Griesbaum said. “Both Louisville and Missouri State scored first, which we had to prove that we can come back to win. Our scoring was very balanced in both games and that makes us harder to defend.”
“We will learn from our first two home games, and it will give us confidence heading into our third weekend on the road this season.” Griesbaum said.
This season, Iowa has recorded shutouts against then-ranked No. 2 Wake Forest, No. 4 Duke and William & Mary. The Hawkeyes only loss came to then-ranked No. 3 North Carolina.
North Carolina takes the top spot in the poll over defending national champion Maryland this week. The Terrapins received 23 of the 47 first place votes. The Big Ten has four teams ranked in the top 20. The Hawkeyes are the highest ranked Big Ten team followed by No. 6 Michigan State.
Five of the top-ten ranked schools are on Iowa’s 2007 schedule. Including three teams that the Hawkeyes have already played, No. 1 North Carolina (loss, 5-2), No. 5 Wake Forest (win, 3-0), No. 10 Duke (win, 2-0).
The Hawkeyes will travel to Fairfield, CT, to play Sacred Heart and Fairfield this weekend.
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