Iowa Defeats Michigan, Advances In B1G Tournament

Stats | Boxscore

Nov. 7, 2013

Box Score

• Download your Hawk Talk Monthly iOS app
• Download your Hawk Talk Monthly android app

• Read the latest issue of Hawk Talk Monthly
• 2013 Big Ten/ACC Challenge
  
• 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

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The 20th-ranked University of Iowa field hockey team defeated 18th-ranked Michigan, 1-0, Thursday at Buckeye Varsity Field in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.

The first half of play was highlighted by great defense on both sides. Both Iowa and Michigan recorded four shots apiece while the Hawkeyes out-cornered Michigan 2-1 in the first 35 minutes of play.

Roughly 59 minutes passed in the game before Big Ten Freshman of the Year Stephanie Norlander put the Hawkeyes in the lead. Sophomore Natalie Cafone dribbled the ball into the circle and passed to Norlander, who buried the shot to put the Hawkeyes up, 1-0.

“Natalie made a perfectly timed pass and Stephanie had a great finish,” said head coach Tracey Griesbaum.

The Hawkeyes played stellar defense in the final 11 minutes to secure the victory. Senior goalkeeper Kelsey Boyce posted her fourth shutout of the season.

“The defense made the difference today,” said Griesbaum. “We played much stingier this time around; the defense played awesome overall.”

Iowa will face top-seeded and sixth-ranked Penn State on Friday morning at Buckeye Varsity Field in the semifinals. The match, set to begin at 9 a.m. (CT), can be seen live on the Big Ten Network.

“Right now our main focus is recovery,” said Griesbaum. “We will have our game plan in place for tomorrow and be ready to go.”