No. 5 Hawkeyes Dominate Northwestern

Oct. 5, 2007

Final Stats

IOWA CITY -- The fifth-ranked University of Iowa field hockey team (10-2, 2-1) defeated Northwestern (3-7, 0-3) 5-1, Friday. Junior Lauren Pfeiffer scored two goals in the game, increasing her streak to seven goals in the past four games. Also scoring goals for the Hawkeyes were juniors Katie Naugton, Roz Ellis and Caroline Blaum.

“The first half was the best performance that we had from our forwards so far this season,” Head Coach Tracey Griesbaum commented. “Our front three forwards did a good job of pressuring on the defensive side of the ball, which turned into goals on offense. They followed the game plan perfectly.”

The Hawkeyes were able to score four first half goals against Northwestern. The first goal came during the eighth minute, Naughton scored the first Hawkeye goal. Pfeiffer took the initial shot from the penalty corner only to be denied by the Wildcat goalkeeper. Then Naughton snuck in and slammed the ball past the defense for her fifth goal of the season.

In the 14th minute, Ellis put home her seventh goal of the season. After a Caitlin McCurdy shot was denied by the Northwestern defense, Ellis controlled the rebound and tapped in the goal.

The Wildcats came within one goal during the 17th minute when Courtney Plaster scored an unassisted goal. The Hawkeyes struck back when Pfeiffer scored her first goal during the 29th minute off of a penalty corner.

Blaum scored Iowa’s fourth goal of the half in the 30th minute when she slapped her third shot of the season into the net.

The Wildcats were able to hold the Hawkeyes to only one goal in the second half. The goal came during the 65th minute when Pfeiffer was able to convert on a penalty corner. Tricia Dean and Jess Werley each recorded an assist.

“Overall, it was a really good effort from everyone on the team.” Griesblaum said.

The Hawkeyes will return to action Saturday, against Providence at 2 p.m. (CT) in Evanston, IL.