No. 13 Iowa Falls to No. 1 North Carolina

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Sep 8, 2013

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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The 13th-ranked University of Iowa field hockey team (3-1) dropped a 3-1 decision to top-ranked North Carolina on Sunday at Grant Field in its final match of the annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

The Tar Heels (4-0) struck first, scoring just over a minute in to grab an early 1-0 lead. The visitors extended their advantage to 2-0 15 minutes into the opening period, scoring off a deflection. The score remained 2-0 at the half.

The home team applied pressure throughout the second period. Iowa was awarded a penalty corner five minutes into the half, and converted as Niki Schultheis pushed a pass to Dani Hemeon who slammed home a goal to cut the North Carolina lead in half.

“I thought our team did a very good job of executing what we talked about at halftime and it made a really big difference,” said UI head coach Tracey Griesbaum. “North Carolina had to work for that win and that’s a positive. We played the No. 1 team in the nation and we made them fight today.”

The Hawkeyes continued their offensive attack throughout the second half, but were unable to push across the tying score.

The Tar Heels, who finished 2-0 at the Big Ten/ACC Challenge after defeating No. 9 Michigan 7-2 on Saturday, were awarded a penalty corner with seconds left in regulation, and scored with no time on the clock to make the final score 3-1.

Hawkeye goalkeeper Kelsey Boyce recorded a career-best eight saves.

The Hawkeyes continue action next weekend at Grant Field, hosting Central Michigan and Stanford. Iowa will face the Chippewas at 3 p.m. on Friday, and host the 12th-ranked Cardinal on Sunday at 1 p.m.