Oct. 23, 2007
IOWA CITY This Week
The fifth-ranked University of Iowa field hockey team (13-2, 4-1) will host Northwestern (4-11, 0-5) in a non-conference match-up Thursday at 3 p.m. The Hawkeyes will return to conference action against seventh-ranked Michigan State (13-4, 4-1) Saturday, at noon (CT) at Grant Field. The winner will clinch second place in the Big Ten Conference.
Northwestern (4-11, 0-5)
The Wildcats have had a rough 2007 season. They have notched only four wins this season, including being shutout five times.
The Wildcats have been outshot 290-171 and outscored 52-23.
Northwestern leads the Big Ten in saves with 101 while junior Emily Kyle has made a conference-leading 79 saves. Junior Alex Quinn has a team-high five assists and is tied with junior Alison Bullock for the lead in goals with six.
Last week, Northwestern was defeated by conference leader No. 4 Michigan 3-2. The game seemed destine to overtime, but with less then two minutes left, Michigan scored the game-winning goal.
Michigan State (13-4, 4-1)
The No. 7 Spartans are a high powered machine. They have outscored their opponents 75-21 and outshot them 334-118. Michigan State has scored five or more goals in six games this season and have also turned in six shutouts.
The Spartans are atop every offensive category in the Big Ten.
They have three players that have scored 10 or more goals. Freshman Jantine Steinmetz leads the team with 13 goals.
Last week, Michigan State shutout Indiana 2-0. The Spartans are tied with Iowa for second place in the Big Ten Conference.
What’s Coming Up?
“We will have three days to prepare for both Northwestern and Michigan State, so it is a very short week for us,” Head Coach Tracey Griesbaum said.
“It is important that we make strides in our ability to outlet out of the back as well as set up scoring opportunities from the field. Offensive and defensive concepts will be practiced along with getting better results out of dead ball situations,” Griesbaum said.
“We are looking forward to honoring seniors Adrienne Dybus and Kadi Sickel prior to the start of the Michigan State game. They have been tremendous Hawkeyes!”
Last Week
The Hawkeyes defeated Penn State (10-6, 2-3) in overtime 2-1, Sunday. Junior Lauren Pfeiffer scored the game-winning goal during the 71st minute on a penalty stroke.
Junior Lindsey Duffy scored her fifth goal of the season after receiving the assist from Caroline Blaum. It broke a scoreless tie during the 49th minute.
What Did You Think Coach?
“Penn State is a great team,” Griesbaum said. “We had to play smart and strong for a complete 70 minutes to stay in the game.”
“We were able to come out in the second half and produce a bit more attack and open the game up a little more,” Griesbaum said.
“It was a complete effort by the entire team,” Griesbaum said. “Lauren Pfeiffer stepped up huge, once again for us.”
Thanks Kadi & Adrienne
The Hawkeyes will honor seniors Kadi Sickel and Adrienne Dybus Saturday, before the Michigan State game.
Sickel and Dybus have been a part of two NCAA Tournament appearances, a Big Ten regular season championship and a Big Ten Tournament championship.
Sickel has started every game in her career while recording 15 goals 16 assists and two defensive saves in her career.
Dybus has made huge strides since her freshman year, when she was on the practice squad. This season, Dybus has scored two goals and one assist while starting one game for the Hawkeyes.
Ellis Defense Player of the Week
Junior Roz Ellis was named co-Defensive Player of the Week, Monday. She received the honor after helping the Hawkeyes past No. 9 Penn State.
It is Ellis’ first career weekly honor. She is the fourth Hawkeye to be honored by the Big Ten this season (Pfeiffer, Beamesderfer and Munley).
Six Game Win Streak? We’ve Seen This
The Hawkeyes are in the midst of their second six game winning streak this season. The first streak was upended by Michigan in double overtime in Ann Arbor, MI.
Fighting For Second
After Michigan secured the Big Ten Conference regular season championship, Iowa and Michigan State are left fighting for second place. The Hawkeyes and Spartans, both sit at 4-1 in conference play.
Pfeiffer Still Scoring
Junior Lauren Pfeiffer scored the game winning penalty stroke against Penn State, lengthening her scoring streak to seven games. During the streak, she has scored nine goals and two assists.
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