Iowa Set To Travel To Ohio State

Iowa Set To Travel To Ohio State

Oct. 7, 2009

Complete Release in PDF Format

THIS WEEK
The University of Iowa field hockey team hits the road this weekend as the Hawkeyes face Big Ten foe Ohio State Sunday in Columbus, OH. The Black and Gold will face the Buckeyes at noon central time.

SCOUTING THE BUCKEYES
Ohio State is 7-4 overall and 5-1 at home. They are ranked 20th in the latest NFHCA rankings. The Buckeyes stand at 1-1 in conference play. The Scaret and Gray have defeated Indiana 3-2 at home and lost to Ohio State, 3-2, to open conference play last weekend. Ohio State is coached by Anne Wilkinson. In 13 years at the helm of the program, Wilkinson is 156-101. Starting in goal for the Buckeyes is Lindsay Quintiliani. The senior has started ten matches for the Buckeyes and is 7-3 in those starts. She has recorded four shutouts. The four shutouts lead the Big Ten.

THE LAST TIME
The Hawkeyes and Buckeyes battled twice in 2008. The Scarlet and Gray won the regular season matchup in Iowa City, 2-0. Iowa and Ohio State then met in the Big Ten Tournament championship game. The Hawkeyes won 2-1 in overtime en route to their third-straight tournament championship.

ALL-TIME SERIES
The Black and Gold are 41-11 all-time against Ohio State. Additionally, Iowa leads the all-time series in Columbus, 14-6.

HAWKEYES DEFEAT CAL
The Hawkeyes defeated California Sunday at Grant Field, 3-2. Tricia Dean led the Black and Gold with two goals on the afternoon. Goalkeeper Kathleen McGraw notched her fourth win of the season. The freshman made an outstanding save as time expired to preserve the Hawkeye victory.

“The result was outstanding for us,” said Head Coach Tracey Griesbaum. “We need to take this momentum and use it going forward.”

IOWA TIED FOR THIRD IN BIG TEN
The Hawkeyes currently stand at 1-1 in conference play. Iowa won at Michigan, 3-2, Sept. 25. The Hawkeyes fell at home to Indiana Friday, 2-1. Four teams (Ohio State, Indiana, Iowa and Penn State) sit tied for third in the conference with 1-1 records. Michigan State leads the league with a record of 1-0 and Michigan sits in second at 2-1.

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. Iowa accumulated 26 total points in the contest, tied for second most in a game this season in the Big Ten. Additionally, the 12 goals are tied for the most scored this season by a Big Ten team.

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. 18) and Ohio State (No. 20). All Big Ten teams are at least receiving votes as Indiana, Penn State and Michigan are also receiving votes.

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.

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).