Hawkeyes Begin NCAA Tournament Play Saturday

Nov. 7, 2012

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THIS WEEK
The 14th-ranked University of Iowa field hockey team will play in its 22nd NCAA Tournament this weekend. Iowa will face host, and seventh-ranked, Virginia (15-5, 4-1 ACC) in the first round Saturday. Play between the Hawkeyes and Cavaliers begins at 1 p.m. (CT) at Turf Field in Charlottesville, Va.

ON THE NET
Fans can follow every game of the Hawkeyes’ NCAA Tournament run with live stats (Gametracker) on hawkeyesports.com. Access the Gametracker link by going to the front page or the field hockey schedule page. In addition, be sure to visit the 2012 NCAA Tournament Central page on hawkeyesports.com.

CHARLOTTESVILLE REGIONAL
In addition to first round opponent Virginia, the Hawkeyes are joined by No. 15 Drexel (15-6, 5-2 CAA) and No. 2 Princeton (17-1, 7-0 Ivy) in the Charlottesville regional. Drexel, the Colonial Athletic Association champion, and Princeton, champions of the Ivy League, square off Saturday at 10 a.m. (CT). The winners of Saturday’s games will play Sunday at 1 p.m. (CT) to advance the NCAA Final Four, which will be hosted in Norfolk, Va.

HAWKEYES DANCING AGAIN
Iowa garnered an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament for the second-straight season, earning back-to-back bids for the first time since 2007-08. Last season, the Hawkeyes fell at eventual national champion Maryland, 4-2, in the first round of the tournament.

IOWA IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
The Hawkeyes were selected to the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in nine years, and for the 22nd time in program history — the most of any school as a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Hawkeyes are 26-22 all-time in tournament play, including 9-4 in first round match-ups and 11-6 in second round contests. Iowa has advanced to 11 NCAA Final Fours, winning the 1986 national championship. The Hawkeyes 26 tournament victories and 11 NCAA Final Fours are the most of any school as a member of the Big Ten Conference. Iowa is seeking its first NCAA Tournament victory since winning at Michigan State, 1-0, on Nov. 16, 2008 in second round action. The Hawkeyes advanced to the NCAA Final Four that season.

HAWKEYES VS. THE TOURNAMENT FIELD
Iowa has faced six of the other 15 teams selected to the 2012 NCAA Tournament. The Hawkeyes posted a 2-5 record against fellow tournament teams, scoring wins over Albany (2-1) and Drexel (3-1). Iowa fell to North Carolina (5-0), Stanford (3-2), Michigan (2-1), and Penn State twice (5-1, regular season; 3-2, Big Ten Tournament).

SCOUTING VIRGINIA
Virginia enters the NCAA Tournament with a 15-5 record, with all five defeats coming against ranked opponents — Penn State, Northeastern, North Carolina, Princeton, and Maryland. The Cavaliers own a 9-1 mark at home this season, outscoring opponents 56-13 at Turf Field. Virginia is one of the top offensive teams in the country, ranking sixth nationally in scoring average (3.95). The Cavaliers scored 14 goals against Towson on Aug. 31 — the highest single game goal output by any team in the country this season. Virginia boasts two players who competed in the 2012 London Olympics in Paige Selenski and Michelle Vittese. Selenski paces Virginia in goals (26), assists (12), and points (64), ranking second nationally in points per game (3.37), fourth nationally in goals per game (1.37), and 13th nationally in assists per game (0.63). Virginia is coached by former Iowa assistant Michele Madison. She was an assistant on Iowa’s 1986 national championship team.

HAWKEYE-CAVALIER HISTORY
Iowa and Virginia have met four times, splitting the series, 2-2. The Hawkeyes won the last meeting, downing the Cavaliers, 3-2, on Sept. 11, 2008, in University Park, Pa. The programs have played once in Charlottesville. Virginia won, 1-0, in double overtime on Aug. 11, 1994. Iowa and Virginia have met once in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Cavaliers won the contest, 1-0, in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Nov. 11, 2006.

LOOKING AHEAD
The Hawkeyes have previously played both of their possible second round opponents, Drexel and Princeton, one time in program history. Iowa won its only match-up against Drexel earlier this season, downing the Dragons, 3-1, in University Park, Pa. on Oct. 12. Princeton defeated the Hawkeyes in the teams only meeting, winning 5-4 in overtime at Grant Field in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Nov. 17, 1996 .

A HAWKEYE BRACKET
Six current or former Hawkeye coaches or players will coach in the Charlottesville regional this weekend. Current Hawkeye coaches Tracey Griesbaum, Lisa Cellucci, and Meghan Beamesderfer will be joined former Hawkeyes Michele Madison (Virginia), Kristen Holmes-Winn (Princeton), and Melisa Meccage (Princeton). Madison, the head coach at Virginia, served as an assistant coach at Iowa from 1982-89, helping Iowa advance to four NCAA Final Fours and win the 1986 national title. Holmes-Winn, the head coach at Princeton, and Meccage, an assistant coach at Princeton, both played at Iowa from 1994-97. During their time at Iowa, the Hawkeyes advanced to three NCAA Tournaments and the 1994 Final Four. Both were teammates and roommates of Cellucci.

PLAYING THE BEST
Virginia will be the 13th nationally-ranked opponent Iowa has faced this season. The Hawkeyes are 7-5 against ranked foes. Eighth-ranked Northwestern was the highest ranked opponent Iowa defeated this season. The Hawkeyes downed the Wildcats, 3-2, in overtime on Oct. 28.

PENN MONTO/NFHCA RANKINGS
The Hawkeyes were ranked 14th in the final Penn Monto/National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll on Nov. 6, collecting 306 points. The Hawkeyes were one of four Big Ten teams to appear in the rankings. Eleven Hawkeye opponents were tabbed in the poll, including five in the top 10 — North Carolina (1), Penn State (3), Virginia (7), Michigan (9) and Northwestern (10).

NCAA FIELD HOCKEY RPI RANKINGS
Iowa was tabbed 11th in the NCAA RPI rankings released on Nov. 6. Five Big Ten team and 10 Hawkeye opponents appeared in the top 25, including top-ranked North Carolina.

LAST TIME OUT
The Hawkeyes hosted the Big Ten Tournament at Grant Field. Iowa won its first game against No. 23 Michigan State, 2-1 (OT), before being eliminated in the semifinals by eventual tournament champion Penn State, 3-2.

B1G ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Senior Jessica Barnett and junior Karli Johansen were named to the All-Big Ten Tournament team at the conclusion of the Big Ten Tournament on Nov. 4. It marked Barnett’s third straight All-Big Ten Tournament team selection, while Johansen earned the honor for a second consecutive season.

5 EARN ALL-B1G HONORS
Five members of the Iowa field hockey team were named to an All-Big Ten team by the conference on Nov. 1. Senior captains Jessica Barnett and Kathleen McGraw were first team selections, while seniors Sarah Drake and Geena Lesiak and junior Marike Stribos garnered second team recognition. Iowa last had five All-Big Ten selections in 2008.

BARNETT, MCGRAW SELECTED TO NFCHA SENIOR GAME
Seniors Jessica Barnett and Kathleen McGraw were 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.

OVERTIME NOT A PROBLEM
The Hawkeyes played their fourth overtime game of the season against Michigan State on Nov. 1 in the conference tournament, winning 2-1. Iowa is 4-0 in overtime contests this season, as they also defeated Northwestern (3-2, Oct. 28), Indiana (2-1, Oct. 5), and Wake Forest (3-2, Aug. 25).

ONE-GOAL GAMES
Eleven of the Hawkeyes 20 games have been decided by a one goal margin. Iowa is 7-4 in those contests.

DEFENSIVE DANDIES
The Hawkeyes have three athletes ranked in the top 10 of the Big Ten in defensive saves. Senior Jessica Barnett has totaled three defensive saves this season, ranking fourth in the Big Ten and 31st nationally. Senior Geena Lesiak and junior Karli Johansen have both made one defensive save this season, placing them tied for ninth in the conference. Barnett made two defensive saves during conference play, ranking second in the Big Ten.

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 (362), shots per game (18.10), and penalty corners (172). Iowa also ranks second in all three categories in conference games only.

HEMEON TAKES TEAM GOALS LEAD
Junior Dani Hemeon scored her ninth and 10th goals of the season during the Big Ten Tournament on Nov. 1-2. Hemeon scored the Hawkeyes first goal in both tournament games, scoring at the 46:57 mark against Michigan State on Nov. 1 and at the 24:03 mark against Penn State on Nov. 2. The Gilroy, Calif., native ranked second in goals (2) at the Big Ten Tournament. Hemeon’s 10 goals lead the team this season.

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

DRAKE BIG ON SENIOR DAY
Senior Sarah Drake scored the game-tying goal 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 for 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.

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 in goal, posting a 1.51 goals against average that ranks fourth 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 .726 save percentage, ranking fifth in the conference and 32nd nationally.

CAFONE 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.

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 330. 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.

Iowa Career All-Time Saves:
1. Lisa Cellucci – 592
2. Donna Lee – 492
3. Andrea Wieland – 472
4. Barb Weinberg – 371
5. Kathleen McGraw – 330

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 started 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 156-98 at Iowa, and 169-119 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 eighth in the Big Ten. The Voorhees, N.J., native is tied for eighth in the conference in assists per game (0.50).

MCGRAW EARNS THREE 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 TALLIES 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, 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. Pfeiffer 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 set 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 is 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
Become fans of the official Iowa Field Hockey fan page by going to facebook.com/iowafieldhockey to follow the Hawkeyes on Facebook. Fans can also follow on Twitter at twitter.com/iowafieldhockey.