July 3, 2013
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — Two University of Iowa field hockey student-athletes — Natalie Cafone and Dani Hemeon — have been selected to the 2013-14 United States U21 Junior National Squad, marking the third-straight year the Iowa field hockey program has had two players chosen to the squad.
Hemeon makes her second-straight appearance on the U21 roster. Kathleen McGraw was also named to the 2012-13 squad, after being named to the team in 2011-12 with Sarah Drake. Iowa had four standouts selected to the U21 team in 2005 — Caroline Blaum, Lauren Pfeiffer, Heather Schnepf and Kadi Sickel. Since 1983, 34 Hawkeyes have had the opportunity to represent the United States on a junior national team.
“This is a wonderful accomplishment for Dani and Natalie,” said UI head coach Tracey Griesbaum. “They have competed at a high level for the past six weeks and have proven their abilities. Dani and Natalie will represent their country very well.”
Cafone was also named an alternate for the Women’s Junior World Cup squad, which will travel to Germany, July 27-Aug. 4. The Fairfield, N.J., native saw action in 20 contests, with seven starts, during her freshman campaign in 2012. She registered 17 points via eight goals and an assist and ranked third on the team in goals. Cafone, the 2011 New Jersey State Player of the Year, led all Hawkeye freshmen in points, goals and assists and earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors Oct. 23.
Hemeon, a 2012 Academic All-Big Ten honoree, started all 21 contests as a sophomore, tallying team highs in points (24) and goals (11). She ranked 10th in the Big Ten in goals. The Gilroy, Calif., native was selected to the 2012 US National Team Development Squad.