Nov. 21, 2008
LOUISVILLE, KY – The University of Iowa field hockey team faces top-seeded Maryland today in the national semifinals. The Hawkeyes (18-4) and Terrapins (20-2), two of the nation’s most storied programs, will play at 4 p.m. (CST) at Trager Stadium.
Fans can watch the game for free online by clicking HERE
The Black and Gold are making their 11th appearance in the NCAA Finals. Iowa is fourth all-time, trailing only Old Dominion (16), North Carolina (13) and Maryland (12).
The Hawkeyes and Terrapins share quite a history. Friday will mark the fifth meeting between the schools in the NCAA Tournament. The five head-to-head matchups tie for seventh-most between any two schools. The last time Maryland and Iowa met was in the 1999 national semifinals. The Hawkeyes fell to the Terrapins in double overtime, 2-1.
The 2008 squad, making its own mark in the Iowa record books, is ready for anything thrown at them. During the Hawkeyes’ seven game win-streak, a streak that includes five postseason victories, they have won three overtime contests. Iowa enters today’s match with a swagger in close games, winning each of its last four contests by one goal.
The Hawkeyes have become road warriors as of late. After finishing the regular season with a victory against Michigan at Grant Field on Nov. 2, Iowa has traveled to postseason locations each of the past three weekends.
The Hawkeyes captured their third-straight Big Ten Tournament title in Bloomington, IN, on Nov. 9. Iowa then returned to Iowa City only to leave again for East Lansing, MI, Thursday. On Nov. 15, the Hawkeyes defeated #13 Louisville, 1-0. The following day, Iowa began its second round match with rival Michigan State only to see it delayed due to inclement weather. The Hawkeyes defeated the Spartans the following morning, 1-0, and the extra day in East Lansing turned out to be well worth the wait.
One day later, the Hawkeyes took a chartered flight to Louisville on Wednesday.
Yesterday, the team enjoyed a focused practice at Trager Stadium. All four teams then gathered at the Muhammad Ali Center in downtown Louisville Thursday evening for the 2008 NCAA Championship banquet. The Hawkeyes will have a short walk-through this morning before facing the top-ranked Terrapins later today.
Fans can track the action this weekend on hawkeyesports.com. Click on the `GT’ link on the field hockey schedule page to get live scoring and play-by-play.