Oct. 26, 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 closes the regular season this weekend in the nation’s capital. The Black and Gold will travel to Washington, D.C. to face James Madison and American University. The Hawkeyes will play ninth-ranked James Madison Friday on the campus of American University at 1 p.m. (CT). Iowa will then face American Saturday at noon (CT).
ALL-TIME SERIES
The Black and Gold are 3-1 all-time against James Madison. Iowa is 2-0 against the Dukes at neutral sites. Additionally, the Hawkeyes are 2-1 against American. The Hawkeyes have never played at American.
THE LAST TIME
The Hawkeyes defeated American last season in Iowa City, 4-1. Eight Hawkeyes recorded a point in the win over the Eagles. Iowa has not faced the Dukes since 1998. The Hawkeyes lost at James Madison that season, 4-2.
SCOUTING JAMES MADISON
James Madison is 11-6 overall and 0-1 at neutral sites. They are ranked ninth in the latest NFHCA rankings. The Dukes are coached by Antoinette Lucas. In her sixth season as head coach at James Madison, she is 78-46 all-time.
SCOUTING AMERICAN
American is 8-7 overall and 3-3 at home this season. They are receiving votes in the latest NFHCA rankings. The Eagles are coached by Steve Jennings. In his 11th season at the helm of the program, he has amassed a 140-70 career record. The Eagles have claimed six consecutive Patriot League Championships.
ENDING ON A STRONG NOTE
Iowa won its last two regular season conference games to finish at 3-3. The Hawkeyes defeated Penn State Oct. 18, 1-0. Against the Nittany Lions, 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. Last Friday, the Black and Gold won in overtime at Northwestern, 1-0. Junior Sarah Pergine found senior Tricia Dean who scored the game winner for the Hawkeyes from the left wing. McGraw recorded her second career and second-straight shutout. She recorded nine saves on the day.
IOWA CLOSES REGULAR SEASON THIS WEEKEND
The Hawkeyes close the regular season this weekend against James Madison and at American. Iowa will compete in the Big Ten Tournament beginning Thursday, Nov. 5, in East Lansing, MI. Iowa is the three-time defending tournament champions. The Black and Gold have won nine-straight tournament games.
HAWKEYE DEFENDERS
Senior Meghan Beamesderfer is tied for the Big Ten lead with four defensive saves this season. Additionally, freshman goalkeeper Kathleen McGraw is third in shutouts with two.
SENIOR ALL-STARS
Two Hawkeyes, Meghan Beamesderfer and Tricia Dean have both been named NFHCA Division I Senior All-Stars. Beamesderfer has started every game of her Hawkeye career. She leads the Black and Gold with four defensive saves. Dean has started 79 of 80 career games. This season, she leads the Hawkeyes with 20 points (7 goals, 6 assists). The 2009 NFHCA Division I Senior All-Star game will be played Nov., 21, at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. The game will begin at a 4:30 p.m. (CT).
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. She recorded her first career win at Boston Sept. 6 and has recorded two shutouts since. Drake 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. She has six goals on the year. 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, good 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.