Oct. 20, 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 faces two ranked teams this weekend. The Black and Gold will travel to No. 19 Northwestern Friday. The Hawkeyes will then face No. 14 Louisville Sunday at Grant Field. Admission is free. Sunday’s match against the Cardinals will be Iowa’s home finale. Iowa will honor seniors Meghan Beamesderfer, Tricia Dean and Jess Werley. The match will also be part of “Pink Weekend” to help raise awareness for breast cancer.
PINK WEEKEND
The University of Iowa field hockey, soccer and volleyball programs will host a “Pink Weekend” to help raise awareness for breast cancer this weekend. Fans are encouraged to attend all three weekend events for a chance to win great Hawkeye prizes. The first 300 fans at each event will receive an official Pink Weekend T-shirt.
ALL-TIME SERIES
The Black and Gold are 49-17-4 all-time (20-11-2 on the road) against Northwestern. Additionally, Iowa is 4-3 against Louisville and 1-1 against them in Iowa City.
THE LAST TIME
The Hawkeyes defeated Northwestern in Iowa City last season, 2-0. Iowa and Louisville met twice in 2008. The Hawkeyes defeated the Cardinals in Louisville, KY, during the regular season, 1-0. The Black and Gold then defeated Louisville 1-0 again during the first round of the NCAA Tournament in East Lansing, MI. Both teams were ranked in each match.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
Northwestern is 12-5 overall and 1-3 in conference play. They own a 6-3 record at home. They are ranked 19th in the latest NFHCA rankings. The Wildcats are coached by Tracey Fuchs. Fuchs is in her first season as head coach of the program.
SCOUTING THE CARDINALS
Louisville is 8-7 overall and 3-3 on the road this season. They are ranked 14th in the latest NFHCA rankings. The Cardinals are coached by Pam Bustin. In 11 years at the helm of the program, she is 128-104.
THANKS SENIORS
Meghan Beamesderfer, Tricia Dean and Jess Werley will all be playing their final home match at Grant Field Sunday when the Hawkeyes host No. 14 Louisville. The trio has been part of three-straight NCAA tournament teams and Big Ten Tournament championship teams. Collectively, they have started 231 of 234 games played in their careers.
IN THE RANKINGS
The Hawkeyes are receiving votes in the latest NFHCA rankings. Iowa will play 11 of the current NFHCA top 20 this season. In addition, the Hawkeyes will play five of the teams receiving votes in the latest poll. The Big Ten Conference currently has four teams ranked in the top 20. Michigan State sits at eighth in the latest rankings. Joining the Spartans is Ohio State (No. 15), Northwestern (No. 19) and Indiana (No. 20). All Big Ten teams are at least receiving votes as Penn State and Michigan are also receiving votes.
IOWA DOWNS PENN STATE
The Hawkeyes defeated Penn State Sunday at Grant Field, 1-0. Freshman Geena Lesiak recorded her third goal of the season off a great pass from senior Tricia Dean. In addition, Freshman goalkeeper Kathleen McGraw recorded her first career shutout and made three crucial saves in the final minutes to preserve the Hawkeye victory.
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 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. 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.