Hawkeyes Blank UMass, 3-0

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Sept. 4, 2011

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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa field hockey team defeated Massachusetts, 3-0, Sunday afternoon at Grant Field. The Hawkeyes, ranked 23rd nationally, move to 3-1 with the victory. Iowa honored the 1986 national championship team and Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Mary Koboldt at halftime.

“It was awesome today,” said head coach Tracey Griesbaum. “We have been attacking all year and trying to put the other team under pressure, not only with our defense but with our attacking mentality. It was great to get a shutout. I am very happy for the entire team. Their hard work is starting to pay off.”

The Hawkeyes struck first in the 21st minute as sophomore Niki Schultheis scored off a rebound to give Iowa an early 1-0 lead.

Six minutes later in the 27th minute, junior Geena Lesiak scored off a corner to push the Hawkeye advantage to 2-0. Schultheis was credited with the assist. Iowa led at the half, 2-0.

The Black and Gold took a 3-0 lead at the 47:20 mark as Kim Scraper scored her team-leading sixth goal of the season. The sophomore scored off a nice pass from classmate Aubrey Coleman.

The Hawkeyes dominated possession and maintained pressure on the Minutewomen throughout the contest. Iowa recorded a season-high 13 penalty corners to five for UMass.

Iowa returns to action next weekend when it travels to Providence, R.I. The Hawkeyes play Providence Friday, at 1 p.m. and Brown Saturday at noon. Both times are central.