Nov. 5, 2009
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EAST LANSING, MI – – The University of Iowa field hockey team defeated Michigan in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament Thursday, 5-3, on the campus of Michigan State University. The win marks the tenth-straight Big Ten Tournament win for the Hawkeyes, breaking Penn State’s record of nine-straight wins held from 1995-98.
“We played an outstanding first half and followed the game plan,” said Head Coach Tracey Griesbaum. “We executed and put the ball in the net. In the second half, we were not as attack-minded and that left some holes open on the defensive end. We have to take it one day at a time and regroup for tomorrow.”
The Hawkeyes, winners of five of their last six, struck first in the 18th minute of play. Senior Meghan Beamesderfer scored off a rebound to give the Hawkeyes a 1-0 advantage. In the 30th minute, senior Tricia Dean scored off a corner to push the Iowa lead to 2-0 at the break.
In the early moments of the second half, Beamesderfer added her second goal of the day off a corner, giving the fourth-seeded Hawkeyes a 3-0 lead. The Wolverines, seeded fifth, then added two goals to make the score 3-2. Iowa kept the pressure on and added two additional goals to seal the victory. Freshman Geena Lesiak recorded her first career postseason goal and Beamesderfer added her third for the hat trick.
Iowa has won three-straight tournament titles and will be looking to keep the streak going tomorrow against top-seeded and regular season champion Michigan State. The Hawkeyes and eighth-ranked Spartans will play at 11:15 a.m. (CT) on the Big Ten Network.
GAME SUMMARYMICH (7-14) 0 3 - - 3IOWA (9-9) 2 3 - - 5
IOWA Meghan Beamesderfer (unassisted) 17:38/1stIOWA Tricia Dean (Leslie Pyle, Sarah Pergine) 29:29/1stIOWA Meghan Beamesderfer (Tricia Dean, Sarah Pergine) 38:33/2ndMICH Meredith Way (Eileen Brandes, Heather Wiley) 50:39/2ndMICH Paige Laytos (Meredith Way) 57:35/2ndIOWA Meghan Beamesderfer (unassisted) 60:28/2ndIOWA Geena Lesiak (Jess Werley) 66:21/2ndMICH Meredith Way (Jenner Johnson) 67:40/2nd
Shots - Iowa 13, Michigan 10Penalty Corners - Iowa 11, Michigan 4Saves - Kathleen McGraw (Iowa) 4; Paige Pickett (Michigan) 3
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