Oct. 25, 2007
IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa field hockey team improved its record to 14-2 after defeating Northwestern 3-1, Thursday on Grant Field. Meghan Beamesderfer, Caroline Blaum and Adrienne Dybus each tallied a goal for the Hawkeyes. This marks the most wins a Griesbaum-led squad has recorded, the previous being 13 in 2001 and 2004.
This was not a conference game; the conference game was held Oct. 5, when the Hawkeyes defeated the Wildcats 5-1.
“They (Northwestern) played much more aggressive than the first time that we played them,” Head Coach Tracey Griesbaum said. “They were cutting hard toward the ball and played with a lot more energy this time.”
Only one minute into the first half, the Hawkeyes scored their first goal. Beamesderfer dribbled the ball into the center of the circle and blasted a shot past the Northwestern goalkeeper. It is the first goal of her career.
Northwestern evened the score during the 16th minute, when Stephanie Fortson fired the ball towards the net from outside of the circle. The ball traveled through a group of Iowa defenders and ricocheted into the goal.
During the 21st minutes, the Hawkeyes responded. Junior Lauren Pfeiffer passed the ball to Blaum, who converted the game-winner from directly in front of the cage. It is Blaum’s fourth goal and Pfeiffer’s sixth assist of the season. The assist lengthens Pfeiffer’s scoring streak to eight games. During the streak she has recorded nine goals and three assists.
Dybus recorded the final goal during the 51st minute. She received a pass in front of the net from junior Caitlin McCurdy and tipped in the shot. It is Dybus’ third goal of the season and McCurdy’s second assist.
The No. 5 Hawkeyes (14-2, 4-1) will continue Big Ten action Saturday, Oct. 27 at noon (CT), against No. 7 Michigan State (13-4, 4-1) at Grant Field. The winner of this game will earn second place in the conference. Michigan has already clinched first place with a conference record of 6-0.
“We need to rebound and improve our enthusiasm and energy levels for Saturday,” Griesbaum said.
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