3 Hawkeyes Featured on National Teams

May 24, 2012

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Two current University of Iowa field hockey student-athletes and one former Hawkeye standout competed for the U.S. and Canadian National teams in a four-game test series in Victoria, British Columbia this week.

Junior Jessica Barnett and sophomore Karli Johansen competed for Canada, while former Iowa All-American Lauren Pfeiffer competed for Team USA.

The two countries squared-off in a four-game test series. Pfeiffer led the U.S. to four victories by netting three goals. Barnett saw action in all four contests for Canada.

Barnett, a native of North Vancouver, Canada, has started every game of her Hawkeye career. As a junior in 2011, she was named a national All-American, a regional All-American, was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament team and earned first team All-Big Ten honors. Barnett ranked second on the team with 24 points and 11 goals and tied for first with three defensive saves this season. She also tallied two game-winning goals. Barnett earned three Big Ten Player of the Week awards, becoming the first Hawkeye to accomplish the feat since Kristy Gleason in 1992.

Johansen, who hails from the same high school as Barnett, was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament team as a sophomore in 2011. The North Vancouver native has started 33 career games, including all 20 as a sophomore. The Hawkeye defender tied for first on the team with Barnett with three defensive saves. She was an NFHCA National Academic Squad member in 2010.

“It is a great opportunity for Jess (Barnett) and Karli (Johansen) to be playing at such a high level,” said head coach Tracey Griesbaum. “They have been incrementally improving their game over the past two years and it is great to see them represent their country against the USA. They are both tremendous athletes and have been able to step in and help contribute.

“This experience will help in their overall development as athletes. We are looking forward to watching them succeed throughout the summer.”

Pfeiffer, a member of the U.S. National Team since 2009, was a two time All-American at Iowa. During her career, Pfeiffer earned all-region honors three times, first team All-Big Ten honors twice and was named Big Ten Tournament MVP twice. She was selected to play in the NFHCA All-Star game as a senior after leading the Black and Gold in points (44) and goals (20). She ended her career with 53 goals to rank ninth in Hawkeye history. Pfeiffer, who started all 83 games in her career, previously served as Iowa’s volunteer assistant coach. She helped lead Iowa to three-straight Big Ten Tournament Championships and the 2008 NCAA Final Four as a student-athlete.

“It is great that Lauren (Pfeiffer) has earned the chance to play for the Red, White, and Blue,” said Griesbaum. “Her skills and determination have allowed her the opportunity to play in this four-game series versus Canada. She scored a goal in each of the first three games to help lead Team USA. I am anxious to see the Olympic Team selection come out in a couple weeks. The Hawkeyes are definitely cheering for her.

“Lauren is a great representative of the Iowa field hockey program.”