Spartans Rally to Top Hawkeyes in B1G Title Game

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Nov. 10, 2013

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — The 20th-ranked University of Iowa field hockey team fell to Michigan State, 3-2, Sunday afternoon in the Big Ten title game. Michigan State fought back from a two goal deficit at halftime to defeat the Hawkeyes.

“We didn’t play a full 70 minutes today,” said head coach Tracey Griesbaum. “The better team won today.”

Iowa jumped on the board first as first team All-Big Ten honoree Natalie Cafone scored her 22nd goal of the season. The sophomore flew past the Spartan defense and beat the Michigan State goalkeeper on the backhand to put the Hawkeyes on top, 1-0.

Iowa stayed on the offensive as 20 minutes later senior Kelsey Mitchell scored her first goal of the tournament to put the Hawkeyes up, 2-0. Mitchell scored high and to the left after a centering feed from Big Ten Freshman of the year, Stephanie Norlander.

Michigan State fought back at the start of the second half. Abby Barker scored for the Spartans at the 43:58 mark off a feed from Heather Howie. Roughly 13 minutes later, Barker struck again for the Spartans scoring her fifth goal of the tournament for the Spartans. Barker redirected a pass off a corner feed.

The Spartans tallied the game-winner at the 62:59 mark as Adelle Lever scored an unassisted goal.

“We won the first half today but we lost the game,” said Griesbaum.

Cafone and junior Dani Hemeon were named to the all-tournament team.