Oct. 31, 2012
- 2012 Iowa Field Hockey Media Guide
- USA Field Hockey
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPhone/iPad app!
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye Android app!
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa seniors Jessica Barnett and Kathleen McGraw have been selected to compete in the 2012 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division I Senior Game.
The Senior Game will be played Nov. 17 on the campus of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., beginning at 2 p.m. (CT). Senior Game participants will face off against the U.S. Women’s National Team as well as against each other in a series of four, 25 minute sessions
“Jess (Barnett) and Merty (McGraw) are very deserving of this recognition,” said UI head coach Tracey Griesbaum. “They have been steady leaders and performers in the Iowa Field Hockey program for four years. They are great athletes and representatives of our team. “
Barnett and McGraw were among 38 student-athletes selected to the game, and will be joined by seven individuals from other Big Ten schools. Barnett and McGraw are the first Hawkeyes to be selected to the senior game since 2009, when current assistant coach Meghan Beamesderfer and Tricia Dean were named to the squad.
Barnett has started all 74 games of her collegiate career, registering 56 points via 26 goals and four assists. The North Vancouver, Canada, native has been an integral part of an Iowa defense that led the Big Ten in shutouts in 2011 (6) and 2012 (5). She became Iowa’s 81st national All-American at the conclusion of her junior campaign, earning third team NFHCA All-America honors.
Barnett has earned two regional All-America, All-Big Ten, and Big Ten All-Tournament honors during her Hawkeye career. She is currently tied for the team lead in goals (8) and points (18), and has recorded a team-high three defensive saves, ranking fourth in the Big Ten and 27th nationally.
McGraw has played in 72 career games for the Hawkeyes, making 71 starts. McGraw is fifth all-time in program history in saves, making 325 career stops. The Atherton, Calif., native has recorded five shutouts in each of the past two seasons, leading the Big Ten. She was a second team All-Big Ten and NFCHA West Region All-America pick in 2011, and has earned four career Big Ten Player of the Week honors, including three this season. She is the first Hawkeye ever to win three Defensive Player of the Week awards in one season.
McGraw also excels in the classroom, as she is a three-time NFHCA National Academic Squad selection and a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. In addition to leading the Big Ten in shutouts, McGraw is second in the conference in goals against average (1.47) and third in save percentage (.745) this season.
Both Barnett and McGraw are serving as team captains this season. It is the second straight year they have filled the role for the Hawkeyes.
Iowa, currently ranked 11th in the NFHCA polls and 13th in the NCAA RPI rankings, host the Big Ten Tournament this weekend at Grant Field. The fourth-seeded Hawkeyes open tournament play tomorrow at 11 a.m. (CT) against fifth-seeded Michigan State.