Oct. 16, 2007
IOWA CITY
This Week
The fifth-ranked University of Iowa field hockey team (12-2, 3-1) will host ninth-ranked Penn State (10-5, 2-2) Saturday at 3 p.m. (CT) on Grant Field. The game will be televised live by the Big Ten Network.
Penn State (10-5, 2-2)
The Nittany Lions have had a good season so far, they have been ranked in the top ten every week of the season. All five of Penn State’s losses have came against top 20 teams (Connecticut, James Madison, North Carolina, Michigan and Michigan State).
Penn State ranks first in conference play in three categories, shutouts (2), goals allowed (4) and assists (10). Jen Long is tied with Tricia Dean for the lead in assists in conference play (3). Goalkeeper Jen Beaumont leads the conference in save percentage (.826) and shutouts (2). Britney Long leads the team in goals (9) while Jen Long leads in assists (10).
Last week, No. 9 Penn State defeated Lafayette 1-0, then lost to No. 7 Michigan State 3-2.
Griesbaum On Penn State
“Penn State is a great team,” Head Coach Tracey Griesbaum said. “They have speed, skill and solid decision making in all lines. They also have experience combined with a high level of competitiveness.”
“We always have tough games with Penn State,” Griesbaum said. “We will need to play strong in every position for this game. Smart decisions combined with tons of intensity will help us be successful against such a talented team. We are looking forward to a great week of preparation for this game.”
You’re Ranked How High?
The last time Iowa has faced-off against a team ranked as high as No. 9 Penn State was on Sept. 2 against No. 4 Duke. The Hawkeyes shutout the Blue Devils 2-0.
Last Week
The Hawkeyes defeated Ohio State (5-10, 1-3) 2-1, Sunday. Junior Katie Naughton tallied a goal and an assist. Junior Lauren Pfeiffer assisted the game-winner that junior Caitlin McCurdy scored. Pfeiffer raises her team lead in points to 29.
What DiD You Think Coach?
“The Ohio State game was a battle,” Griesbaum said. “They have good speed and it posed a lot of problems for us. We had to make some positional and tactical changes to what we were doing.”
“In the end, it was a good performance on the road,” Griesbaum continued. “Our forwards stepped up when they needed to and our backs played well enough to control OSU’s attack for most of the game. To give up only two defensive penalty corners in a Big Ten match is phenomenal. We will need more of that stinginess when we face Penn State on Saturday.”
Lights, Camera, Action
The last two times the Hawkeyes have played on TV, they have pulled out the victory. Last season, Iowa prevailed in the Big Ten Championship game against Penn State (2-1), the game was televised by CSTV.
Last week, the Hawkeye defeated Ohio State (2-1) on the Big Ten Network.
Big Ten Network
The Hawkeyes will make their second appearance on the Big Ten Network in as many weeks. Last week, the Hawkeyes defeated Ohio State 2-1 in Columbus, OH, on the Big Ten Network.
12 Wins… Almost There
The 2007 Hawkeyes have equaled last season’s win total at 12. Iowa three regular season games remaining, all at Grant Field. Iowa is undefeated at home this year (3-0).
The most wins that a Griesbaum-led team has had in one season is 13 (2001, 2004).
Leading Big Ten
When only conference games are included, two Hawkeyes top the list in four categories. Junior Lauren Pfeiffer leads the Big Ten in shots (24), points (11) and goals (5). Sophomore Tricia Dean leads in assists (3).
As a team, Iowa leads in shots (72).
Here A Shot, There A Shot
The Hawkeyes have attempted over 100 more shots than their opponents (255-133) this season. In the first period, Iowa has attempted over twice as many shots as its opponents (138-60).
Pressure Is On
The Iowa offense has scored a total of 44 goals, outscoring its opponents by 27.
In the second half, the Hawkeyes have a goal advantage of 23-5.
Pfeiffer vs. Luces
The 2006 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, Yesenia Luces from Ohio State, finished last season with a total of 37 points (13 goals and 11 assists). In conference games, she scored 10 points (three goals and four assists).
Junior Lauren Pfeiffer has recorded 29 points (12 goals and five assists) this season, including 11 points in conference play (five goals and one assist.
The last time a Hawkeye won the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year was when Diane DeMiro received the award in 1995.
Score, Pfeiffer, Score
Junior Lauren Pfeiffer recorded an assist against Ohio State last week, stretching her scoring streak to six games. She has scored in 10 of 14 games this season.
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