3 First Half Goals Lift No. 11 Iowa

Stats | Boxscore

Oct. 12, 2012

Box Score

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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Three first half goals lifted the 11th-ranked University of Iowa field hockey team to a 3-1 victory over No. 15 Drexel on Friday at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex. Juniors Kelsey Mitchell and Marike Stribos and sophomore Dani Hemeon all registered first half goals, as the Hawkeyes improved to 3-1 in neutral site games and 10-3 overall this season.

It was Iowa’s fifth win in seven games against nationally-ranked opponent this season. The Hawkeyes last defeated five ranked teams during a season in 2008, when they beat nine.

“We wanted to start out and execute, and we did that, getting on the board early,” said UI head coach Tracey Griesbaum. “We had three really nice, quality goals off direct shots and rebounds, it was really good.”

The Hawkeyes led from the start, as Mitchell scored an unassisted goal from right of the net 1:23 into the opening period, giving Iowa a 1-0 advantage.

Stribos netted the Hawkeyes second goal at the 20:45 mark. It was an unassisted strike, as she collected a rebound after a teammate missed a penalty corner attempt. It was Stribos’ fifth goal of the season, matching her total from 2011. Mitchell and Stribos share the team-lead in points with 14.

Hemeon closed the Iowa scoring during the 33rd minute, connecting on a penalty corner. Senior Geena Lesiak and junior Niki Schultheis were credited with assists on the strike. It was the sixth goal of the season for both Hemeon and Mitchell, sharing the team-lead with senior Jessica Barnett and junior Aubrey Coleman.

“We knew coming out of halftime that Drexel was going to come out and come after us, and they did that,” Griesbaum said. “Drexel is a very good team, and luckily we had a three goal lead because they gave us their best effort the second half.”

The Hawkeye defense, which entered the game leading the Big Ten in shutouts (4), goals against average (1.30), goals allowed (16), and goals allowed per game (1.33), was once again stout, keeping Drexel off the board until the 59:41 mark. Amanda Fleischut scored via a Rebecca Werner helper.

Senior Kathleen McGraw collected her 10th win in goal for Iowa, making seven saves.

The Hawkeyes play their final road game of the regular season Sunday against seventh-ranked Penn State. Action will start at 11 a.m. (CT) at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex.