Hawkeyes Battle, Fall to No. 2 North Carolina

Stats | Boxscore

Aug. 28, 2011

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of Iowa field hockey team concluded play at the annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge Sunday, falling 2-0 to No. 2 North Carolina. The match was held at Phyllis Ocker Field on the campus of the University of Michigan.

“We played well,” said head coach Tracey Griesbaum. “Our game plan was followed in both halves. North Carolina has strength in every line and we did a good job of staying in the play. Our forward and backfield lines played really well this weekend. We will need to keep an attacking mentality in order to be successful next weekend.”

North Carolina, last year’s NCAA runner-up, struck first, scoring in the fifth minute of the first half. Kelsey Kolojejchick scored her second goal of the season off a rebound to give the Tar Heels the 1-0 advantage.

No. 23 Iowa, 1-1 after defeating No. 11 Wake Forest Saturday (3-2), applied pressure throughout the first half but was unable to tie the score. North Carolina, 2-0 after downing host Michigan Saturday (5-0), led at the half 1-0.

The Tar Heels added to their lead late in the contest. J. Gaudioso Radvany scored at the 67:01 mark to give North Carolina the 2-0 victory.

The Hawkeyes were led by goalkeeper Kathleen McGraw. The junior, named Iowa’s player of the game, recorded a career-high 11 saves.

Iowa returns to Iowa City for its home opener Friday, Sept. 2. The Hawkeyes will host Kent State at Grant Field at 5 p.m. The Hawkeyes will host Massachusetts Sunday, Sept. 4 at 1 p.m. and will honor the 1986 national championship team and Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Mary Koboldt. Admission to both games is free.