15th-Ranked Hawkeyes Down Missouri State, 7-1

Stats | Boxscore

Oct. 7, 2013

Box Score

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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The 15th-ranked University of Iowa field hockey team defeated Missouri State, 7-1, on Monday at Grant Field. The Hawkeyes improve their record to 6-5.

Iowa has won 23-straight contests against Missouri State, dating back to 1984. Iowa has outscored the Bears, 127-10, during its winning streak.

The home team (3-2 at Grant Field) controlled the tempo early and struck first with two goals in the opening seven minutes. Iowa was awarded a penalty corner a minute into action and converted, as senior Marike Stribos notched her second score of the season.

The Hawkeyes extended their lead to 2-0 five minutes later, as senior Kelsey Mitchell scored off a rebound. With nine minutes remaining in the opening period, senior Aubrey Coleman slammed in a goal from close range to push the Iowa lead to 3-0.

Missouri State tallied a late score with a minute left in the first half, cutting the Hawkeyes’ lead to 3-1 at halftime.

Following the intermission, the Iowa offensive attack struck early and often. Coleman registered her second goal of the day three minutes into the period, pushing the home team’s lead to 4-1.

Less than three minutes later, senior Niki Schultheis registered her second goal of the season off a pass from Mitchell. One minute later, Iowa grabbed a five-goal advantage as junior Dani Hemeon scored her fifth goal of the year off a perfect pass from sophomore Natalie Cafone.

At the 57:41 mark, Hemeon scored from the top of the circle for the sixth time in 2013, making the final score 7-1.

Iowa controlled the tempo throughout on its way to equaling a season-best with seven goals. Five Hawkeyes scored and two (Coleman, Hemeon) posted two goals. Iowa recorded 25 shots and 13 penalty corners, while limiting the Bears to three and five, respectively.

“Getting points on the board always builds confidence,” said UI head coach Tracey Griesbaum. “We shared the ball well and made things look a little bit easier then we have lately.”

Freshman Alexandra Pecora made her first career start at goalkeeper in place of senior Kelsey Boyce, who did not play due to injury.

“She had a lot of confidence going in today and had a great warm-up,” said Griesbaum. “We had a lot of confidence in her, and I am happy with her performance.”

“The defense played really well,” said Pecora. “I was a little nervous and had first-game butterflies, but Kelsey (Boyce) is always there helping me out and giving me advice. It was definitely a learning experience. I know what I need to work on moving forward.”

The Hawkeyes resume action this weekend in Iowa City, hosting Indiana and Pacific at Grant Field. Iowa faces Indiana on Friday at 3 p.m. (CT), and hosts Pacific on Sunday at 1 p.m. Both contests can be seen live on the Big Ten Digital Network.

“With seven teams in our conference and six league games, each contest is magnified,” said Griesbaum. “We have a lot to prove each day, in games and in practice. Indiana is another opportunity, and we are in a must-win situation if we want to make a push in the Big Ten.”