Hawkeyes Prepared for B1G Championship Game

Nov. 9, 2013

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The University of Iowa field hockey team is set to face Michigan State in the Big Ten Championship game on Sunday. The title game, set for 11 a.m. (CT), can be seen live on the Big Ten Network.

It marks the 10th trip to the championship game for Iowa. The Hawkeyes have claimed five tournament titles in program history (1981, 1994, 2006, 2007, 2008).

Having already faced the Spartans this season, the Hawkeyes have an idea of what to expect come game time.

“It will be nice to be able to go back and critique some of the game film we have against Michigan State,” said head coach Tracey Griesbaum.

Senior Marike Stribos knows the Hawkeyes can learn from their previous game against Michigan State. Iowa dropped a 4-3 decision to Michigan State on Nov. 2 in Iowa City.

“We know the changes we have to make,” said Stribos. “We need to take it one play at a time, stay focused, and we will be fine.”

While Griesbaum is proud of what the team has accomplished so far in the tournament, the Hawkeyes have not yet reached their ultimate goal: a tournament title.

“The Penn State game is over,” said Griesbaum. “We have to move forward and focus all of our attention on Michigan State.”

GAME NOTES

? This is the 10th appearance for Iowa in the conference title game.
? Iowa has five tournament titles in program history (1981, 1994, 2006, 2007, 2008).
? Iowa is 29-15 all-time in the Big Ten Tournament (.659 winning percentage).
? The Hawkeyes have won more games in the tournament than any other B1G school.
? The last time Ohio State hosted the tournament (2007), No. 3 seed Iowa defeated top-seeded Michigan, 4-1, in the title game. It marked the second of Iowa’s three-straight Big Ten Tournament titles (2006, 2007, 2008).
? The last time Iowa was the No. 5 seed (2006), it won the tournament title.
? The Black and Gold are 6-4 all-time as the No. 5 seed.
? Karli Johansen has earned back-to-back All-Big Ten Tournament honors for the Hawkeyes.
? Iowa looks to make its third-straight appearance in the NCAA tournament with a victory.
? The Hawkeyes have made 22 appearances in the NCAA tournament — the most of any school as a member of the Big Ten Conference.
? Iowa led the Big Ten in scoring this season with 62 goals (3.44 goals per game average).