Sept. 29, 2009
- Iowa and the Big Ten Network
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch (2009-10 season)
Complete Release in PDF Format
THIS WEEK
The University of Iowa field hockey team returns home to Iowa City this weekend. Iowa will host Indiana and California this weekend. The Black and Gold (3-5) will face Indiana Friday at 5 p.m. Iowa will then face California Sunday at 2 p.m. In addition, Indiana and California will square off Saturday at 3 p.m. All matches will be held at Grant Field. Admission is free.
A LOOK AT INDIANA
Indiana is 5-4 overall and 3-4 on the road. They are receiving votes in the latest NFHCA rankings. The Hoosiers lost to Ohio State, 3-2, to open conference play last weekend. Indiana is led by Head Coach Amy Robertson. Robertson, in her ninth year at the helm of the program, is 81-94 all-time.
A LOOK AT CALIFORNIA
California is 3-5 overall and 0-4 on the road and is receiving votes in the latest NFHCA rankings. The Golden Bears are coached by Shellie Onstead. The California alum is in her 15th season at the helm of the program. She is 169-87 all-time.
THE LAST TIME
The Hawkeyes defeated Indiana twice last season. Iowa won 6-1 at Indiana during the regular season and won 5-2 against the Hoosiers in the Big Ten Tournament. Iowa is 13-4 all-time against Indiana and hold a 4-1 advantage in games played in Iowa City. Iowa last faced the Golden Bears in 2005, winning 2-1. The Black and Gold are 9-1 all-time against California and are 2-1 against them in Iowa City.
FRESHMEN SEE ACTION
All eight freshmen have seen action this season for the Hawkeyes. Geena Lesiak, Sarah Drake, Jess Barnett, Grace Dolfi, Hailey Chadbourne, Sarah Pedrick, Kelsey Boyce and Kathleen McGraw all have seen game action. Lesiak recorded her first career goal Aug. 30 against Wake Forest. McGraw saw her first career game action in goal Aug. 31 against North Carolina, playing the second half. McGraw recorded her first career win at Boston Sept. 6. Drake is tied for the team lead in goals scored with six. She recorded her first career goals with two Sept. 5 at UMass and added another Sept. 6 against the Terriers. She was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for her efforts. Dolfi recorded her first career goal against VCU Sept. 11. Boyce recorded her first career game action Sept. 19 against Saint Louis. She played the second half and recorded two saves.
IOWA STARTS STRONG IN BIG TEN PLAY
The Hawkeyes opened Big Ten play Friday with a strong win at rival Michigan, 3-2. Iowa is one of three schools at 1-0 in conference play, joining Michigan State and Ohio State. In the Big Ten battle Friday, the senior trio of Meghan Beamesderfer, Tricia Dean and Jess Werley led the way for Iowa. Dean recorded an assist on all three Hawkeye goals. Werley tallied a goal and Beamesderfer scored two goals, including the game-winner.
HAWKEYES DOMINATE BILLIKENS
The Hawkeyes defeated Saint Louis at Grant Field, 12-0, on Sept. 19. The 12 goals are the most scored by Iowa since 1997 when the Hawkeyes defeated Saint Louis, 13-0. Six Hawkeyes recorded at least one goal in the contest. Seniors Tricia Dean and Jess Werley each recorded their first career hat tricks. In addition, freshman Geena Lesiak (1), sophomore Becca Spengler (1), freshman Sarah Drake (2) and senior Meghan Beamesderfer (2) tallied goals. Werley and Beamesderfer were also credited with assists. The Hawkeyes dominated possession during the contest. Iowa had 25 shots, compared to four for Saint Louis. In addition, the Hawkeyes were awarded ten penalty corners, compared to only two for the Billikens.
IN THE RANKINGS
The Hawkeyes are receiving votes in the latest NFHCA rankings. Iowa will play nine of the current NFHCA top 20 this season. In addition, the Hawkeyes will play seven of the teams receiving votes in the latest poll. The Big Ten Conference currently has three teams ranked in the top 20. Michigan State sits at eighth in the latest rankings. Joining the Spartans is Northwestern (No. 17) and Ohio State (No. 18). All Big Ten teams are at least receiving votes as Indiana, Penn State and Michigan are also receiving votes.
HAWKEYES ON THE BIG TEN NETWORK
The Iowa field hockey team appeared on the Big Ten Network more than any other conference school last season – six times. Iowa’s game at Michigan Sept. 25 was televised by the Big Ten Network. In addition, Iowa’s match against Penn State Oct. 18 will both be televised. It will be shown on a tape-delayed basis in Big Ten Network (HD).