Hawkeyes Open B1G Tournament Thursday

Oct. 30, 2012

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THIS WEEK
The 11th-ranked University of Iowa field hockey team hosts the 2012 Big Ten Tournament at Grant Field this weekend. The fourth-seeded Hawkeyes open tournament play against No. 5 seed Michigan State on Thursday at 11 a.m. (CT). The Hawkeyes will host the conference tournament for a third time, previously hosting the event in 1997 and 2005.

2012 B1G TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Thursday, Nov. 1
#4 Iowa vs. #5 Michigan State – 11 a.m.
#2 Northwestern vs. #7 Indiana – 1:30 p.m.
#3 Michigan vs. #6 Ohio State – 4 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 2 – Semifinals
#1 Penn State vs. #4 Iowa/#5 Michigan State – 1:30 p.m.
#2 Northwestern/Indiana vs. #3 Michigan/#6 Ohio State – 4 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 4 – Final
Semifinal #1 winner vs. Semifinal #2 winner – 1:30 p.m.

THE B1G TOURNAMENT ON THE BTN
All seven games at the 2012 Big Ten Tournament at Grant Field will feature live coverage. First round action Thursday will be streamed live on BTN.com, while the semifinals and championship game will be aired live on the BTN. Lisa Byington and Kara Lentz will call the action on Friday and Sunday. Lentz played at Michigan from 2003-06, earning second team All-Big Ten honors as a senior.

ON THE NET
Fans can also follow every game of the Big Ten Tournament with live stats (Gametracker) on hawkeyesports.com. Access the Gametracker link by going to the UI field hockey team page and accessing the Big Ten Tournament Central page.

HAWKEYES B1G TOURNAMENT HISTORY
The Hawkeyes have won three of the last six Big Ten Tournaments. Iowa is one of three schools that has claimed at least four championships (1994, 2006, 2007, 2008), joining Penn State and Michigan. Penn State is the only other school to win three-straight titles. Iowa is 23-14 (.622) all-time in conference tournament play, tying Penn State for the most wins all-time. The Hawkeyes rank second in win percentage.

Iowa holds a number of Big Ten Tournament records. Anne-Marie Thomas and Vicki Sax are tied for the most goals (4) in one game. Thomas holds the record for most points (9) in one game. As a team, the Hawkeyes hold the mark for most goals in a game (8, against Indiana in 2007) and most goals in a tournament (15, in 2007).

IOWA’S SEEDING HISTORY
Iowa will be the fourth seed for the fifth time in school history at the 2012 Big Ten Tournament. The Hawkeyes advanced to the final as a No. 4 seed in 2001. Iowa has won the tournament as a two seed (2008), a three seed twice (1994, 2007) and a five seed (2006), and played in the final as a one seed three times (1995, 1996, 1999), a two seed (2004) and a four seed (2001). The only time a No. 4 seed has won the tournament came in 2005 in Iowa City, when Michigan beat Indiana, 2-0, on Grant Field.

SCOUTING MICHIGAN STATE
Michigan State finished its regular season 10-9. The Spartans went 2-4 in Big Ten play, finishing fifth. Sophomore Abby Barker leads Michigan State in goals (17) and points (37). Barker’s goal total ranks third in the Big Ten. Junior Molly Cassidy has started in goal in every Spartan contest this season, posting a Big Ten-leading 6.11 saves per game. Michigan State is coached by Hellen Knull.

SERIES HISTORY
Iowa leads the all-time series with Michigan State, 47-12-1. The Hawkeyes defeated the Spartans earlier this season, downing Michigan State, 1-0, in East Lansing on Sept. 21. Iowa is 16-6 all-time in game played in Iowa City, with its last victory occurring Sept. 23, 2011 (2-0). The Hawkeyes are 8-1 all-time against the Spartans in Big Ten Tournament match-ups. Michigan State won, 5-1, when the team’s last met in the conference tournament in 2009.

IOWA AT GRANT FIELD
The Hawkeyes are 6-1 at Grant Field this season. Iowa played its last four games at home, registering a 3-1 record. The Hawkeyes have out scored their opponents, 27-7, at home this season. The Hawkeyes are 12-2 at Grant Field the past two seasons, posting a 6-1 record in 2011.

PENN MONTO/NFHCA RANKINGS
The Hawkeyes moved up one spot to 11th in the Penn Monto/National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll on Oct. 30. Iowa collected 395 points. The Hawkeyes were one of five Big Ten teams to appear in the rankings. Eight Hawkeye opponents were tabbed in the poll, including three in the top 10 — North Carolina (1), Penn State (4), and Northwestern (9).

NCAA FIELD HOCKEY RPI RANKINGS
Iowa is currently 13th in the NCAA RPI rankings, which were released on Oct. 30. Five Big Ten team and nine Hawkeye opponents are in the top-25. Iowa opponents — North Carolina and Penn State — were both in the top five, coming in at No. 1 and No. 4, respectively.

LAST TIME OUT
Iowa concluded its regular season against two nationally-ranked foes. The Hawkeyes dropped a 2-1 decision to No. 14 Michigan on Oct. 26. Iowa rebounded with a 3-2 overtime victory over No. 8 Northwestern on Oct. 28. It was Iowa’s first win against a top-10 opponent since Nov. 6, 2008, when it downed 10th-ranked Michigan State, 1-0. The Hawkeyes finished the regular season with a 13-5 record.

OVERTIME NOT A PROBLEM
The Hawkeyes went into overtime for a third time this season Oct. 28 against No. 8 Northwestern. Iowa has won all of its overtime games, defeating the Wildcats, Indiana (2-1, Oct. 5), and Wake Forest (3-2), Aug. 25).

PLAYING THE BEST
Eighth-ranked Northwestern was the highest ranked opponent Iowa has beat the season. The Hawkeyes defeated the Wildcats, 3-2, in overtime on Oct. 28. Iowa has faced 10 nationally-ranked opponents in 2012, posting a 6-4 mark.

HAWKEYES STOUT ON DEFENSE
The Hawkeyes held No. 8 Northwestern to a season-low five shot attempts Oct. 28. Iowa held Chelsea Armstrong, the nation’s leading goal-scorer, to zero goals and one shot attempt. This is nothing new for the Hawkeyes, as they rank first in conference games in goals against average (1.76) and goals allowed per game (1.83).

ONE-GOAL GAMES
Nine of the Hawkeyes 18 games have been decided by a one goal margin. Iowa is 6-3 in such games.

CAFONE STEPS UP
Freshman Natalie Cafone has emerged as an offensive weapon for the Hawkeyes over the past four games. The Fairfield, N.J., stepped into the starting lineup on Oct. 20 against Kent State, and since then, Cafone has a team-best four goals to go along with one assist.

DRAKE BIG ON SENIOR DAY
Senior Sarah Drake scored the game-tying on Oct. 28 in the 41st minute against Northwestern before the Hawkeyes ultimately won in overtime. The strike was unassisted and was her fourth goal of the season.

IOWA FINISHES SECOND IN B1G
The Hawkeyes finished Big Ten play with a 4-2 record, tying Northwestern and Michigan in second place. It is the second year in a row Iowa went 4-2 in conference play and tied for second in the league standings.

HAWKEYES GETTING THEIR OPPORTUNITIES
Iowa is one of the Big Ten’s best at getting scoring opportunities. The Hawkeyes rank second in the Big Ten in shots (332), shots per game (18.44), and penalty corners (152). Iowa also ranks second in all three categories in conference games only.

MCGRAW PICKS UP FIFTH SHUTOUT
Senior Kathleen McGraw posted her Big Ten-leading fifth shutout Oct. 21 against Ball State (6-0). McGraw matched her 2011 shutout total, which also led the conference. McGraw has also held Missouri State (10-0), Pacific (6-0), UC Davis (3-0), and Michigan State (1-0) without a goal this season. The Atherton, Calif., native has played every minute of the Hawkeyes 18 games, posting a 1.47 goals against average that ranks third in the Big Ten and 17th nationally. Thirteen of McGraw’s stops came against Penn State on Oct. 14, the second-most in a single game by a Big Ten goalkeeper this season. McGraw boasts a .750 save percentage, ranking fifth in the conference and 21st nationally.

3 HAWKEYES SHARE TEAM LEAD
Three Hawkeyes — sophomore Dani Hemeon, junior Kelsey Mitchell and senior Jessica Barnett — each share the team lead with eight goals this season. Barnett scored her team-best seventh and eighth goals against Ball State on Oct. 21. It was Barnett’s second multi-goal game of the season. Barnett has scored game-winning goals on three different occasions.

CAFONE’S NAMED FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Freshman Natalie Cafone was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Oct. 23. The honor was the first of Cafone’s career. The Fairfield, N.J., native scored three goals and added an assist in wins over Kent State and Ball State. She tallied her second career two-goal game and had a career-best seven points in the win over Ball State. Cafone is the first Hawkeye to earn Freshman of the Week honors since Sarah Drake on Nov. 2, 2009.

MITCHELL FINDS GOAL TWICE
Junior Kelsey Mitchell scored two goals in the same game for the second time this season and of her career Oct. 20 against Kent State. Mitchell connected on her first goal 10 minutes into the second half after receiving a cross from Hemeon. The Berlin, N.J., native stuck again at the 49:44 mark, as sophomore Corinne Allen assisted on the play. Mitchell posted her first multi-goal game earlier against Albany on Sept. 16.

DEFENSIVE DANDIES
The Hawkeyes have three athletes ranked in the top-eight of the Big Ten in defensive saves. Senior Jessica Barnett has totaled three defensive saves this season, ranking third in the Big Ten and 27th nationally. Senior Geena Lesiak and junior Karli Johansen have both made one defensive save this season, placing them tied for eighth in the category. Barnett has made two defensive saves during conference play, leading the Big Ten.

MCGRAW ECLIPSES 300
Senior Kathleen McGraw became the fifth goalkeeper in program history to collect 300-plus career saves, eclipsing the mark Oct. 12 against Drexel. McGraw’s career save total currently sits at 327. The Atherton, Calif., native passed Lissa Munley (292 career saves) for fifth all-time in career saves on Oct. 7 against Louisville. Associate head coach Lisa Cellucci holds the Iowa saves record with 592 stops. Below is the top five in all-time saves at Iowa.

Iowa Career All-Time Saves:
1. Lisa Cellucci – 592
2. Donna Lee – 492
3. Andrea Wieland – 472
4. Barb Weinberg – 371
5. Kathleen McGraw – 327

IOWA OPENS BIG TEN PLAY 3-0
The Hawkeyes opened Big Ten play 3-0 for the first time ever under head coach Tracey Griesbuam, posting wins over Michigan State (1-0), Ohio State (2-1), and Indiana (2-1 OT). Iowa last began league play 3-0 in 1999.

GRIESBAUM COLLECTS WIN No. 150
Head coach Tracey Griesbaum collected her 150th win at Iowa when the Hawkeyes defeated Ohio State, 2-1, on Sept. 30. Griesbaum became the third coach in program history to win 150 games, joining Beth Beglin (199) and Judith Davidson (185). Griesbaum is 154-96 at Iowa, and 167-117 overall.

LESIAK LENDS HELPING HAND
Senior Geena Lesiak posted her third multi-assist game of the season Sept. 30 against Ohio State. Lesiak also had two or more assists against UC Davis (Sept. 10) and Missouri State (Sept. 2). Lesiak posted three assists against Missouri State, the most in a game by a Big Ten athlete this season, and the fifth-most in NCAA Division I. Lesiak has 10 assists this season, which is tied for sixth in the Big Ten. The Voorhees, N.J., native is tied for seventh in the conference in assists per game (0.61).

McGRAW EARNS 3 B1G HONORS
Senior goalkeeper Kathleen McGraw has been honored as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week three times this season, as she earned the award back-to-back weeks Sept. 11 and Sept. 18 and on Oct. 2. McGraw is the first athlete in program history to win three Defensive Player of the Week honors in one season. McGraw has received the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week accolade four times in her career.

BARNETT BAG a B1G HONOR
Senior Jessica Barnett earned her first career Defensive Player of the Week accolade on Sept. 25 after leading Iowa’s defensive effort in road victories over No. 15 Michigan State (1-0) and Central Michigan (4-1). The Hawkeye back line allowed only 12 shots in the two games. The honor is the fourth of Barnett’s Hawkeye career, as she was a three-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week in 2011.

BEAMESDERFER COMPETES INTERNATIONALLY
Assistant coach Meghan Beamesderfer played for the U.S. National Team in the Electric Ireland Women’s Champions Challenge 1 tournament in Dublin, Ireland, on Sept. 29-Oct. 7. The United States went 4-2 at the Challenge, advancing to the championship game before losing to Australia, 6-1. Beamesderfer was one of 16 athletes chosen for the Champions Challenge, and was joined by former Hawkeye All-American Lauren Pfeiffer on the squad. Pfieffer scored four goals for Team U.S.A. during the tournament

JOHANSEN PLAYS FOR TEAM CANADA
Junior Karli Johansen missed five games from Sept. 9-Sept. 23 to play for the Canadian Junior National Team in the 2012 Pan American Junior Championship, hosted in Guadalajara, Mexico. Johansen and Canada finished with a 3-1-1 record, winning a silver medal. It was Canada’s highest finish in the Junior Pan Ams since 1997. The squad secured an automatic berth in the 2013 Junior World Cup.

HAWKEYES SET TEAM HIGHS
The Hawkeyes have set the team high totals in goals and shots for the Big Ten this season. Iowa set a team-high in goals (10) Sept. 2 against Missouri State. The 10 goals are the fourth highest total in the NCAA this season. Iowa fired 44 shots against Pacific on Sept. 9, the most by any team in the conference this season. The Hawkeyes set the team-high for shots in a Big Ten game when they posted 32 shots against Indiana on Oct. 5. In addition, Iowa the only team in the Big Ten to hold an opponent without a shot for an entire game this season, as Missouri State did not attempt a shot against the Hawkeyes on Sept. 2.

COLEMAN NOTCHES HAT TRICK
Junior Aubrey Coleman tallied a hat trick in the Hawkeyes’ 6-0 victory over Pacific on Sept. 9. All three goals were unassisted, as Coleman scored during the 16th, 50th, and 53rd minutes. It was the first hat trick of Coleman’s career. It was the Hawkeyes first hat trick since Jessica Barnett scored three goals in a 5-2 win against Ball State on Oct. 28, 2011.

HEMEON SCORES TWO
Sophomore Dani Hemeon registered the first multi-goal game of her Hawkeye career earlier this season. The Gilroy, Calif., native scored twice Sept. 10 against UC Davis. Both goals were scored via penalty corners, with the first coming at the 5:39 mark and the second at the 53:00 mark.

TEAM CAPTAINS
Seniors Jessica Barnett and Kathleen McGraw are serving as team captains for the Hawkeyes in 2012. Barnett and McGraw were both team captains in 2011.

ROSTER BREAKDOWN

• The Hawkeyes have 21 student-athletes on their roster; five freshmen, five sophomores, five juniors and six seniors.
• Seven Hawkeyes hail from New Jersey, four from Pennsylvania, two from California and Canada, and one from Belgium, Delaware, Germany, Maryland, Michigan, and Virginia.
• Five members of the Iowa roster were also teammates in high school. Corinne Allen, Geena Lesiak and Kelsey Mitchell all played at Eastern Regional High School in New Jersey, while Jessica Barnett and Karli Johansen competed for Handsworth Secondary School in North Vancouver, Canada.

TCHOU INDUCTED INTO HALL OF FAME
Former Hawkeye Liz Tchou officially became a member of the National Iowa Varsity Club Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday, Sept. 14. She was joined by four other former Iowa athletes in the 2012 class, the 24th class to be inducted. Tchou was honored at halftime of Iowa’s game against Albany on Sept. 16. She was also recognized at halftime of Iowa’s football game against Northern Iowa on Sept. 15.

Tchou was a standout at Iowa from 1984-1987, becoming the first female in Iowa history to have her number retired. Tchou led the Hawkeyes to the 1986 National Championship, as she paced Iowa with 15 goals. She was a first team All-American in 1987 after leading the team in goals (30) and points (65). Tchou scored 75 career goals, a mark that still stands fifth in the Iowa record books. She was a four-time All-Big Ten first team selection, twice being named Big Ten Conference MVP. Tchou was also a two-time Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient at Iowa. Following her Hawkeye career, she played for the U.S. Women’s National Team from 1989-95 and was a member of the 1996 Olympic Team. She is currently the Youth Development Manager for U.S.A. Field Hockey.

FOLLOW THE HAWKEYES
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