March 10, 2014
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — Five current or former members of the University of Iowa field hockey program — Meghan Beamesderfer, Lauren Pfeiffer, Jessica Barnett, Karli Johansen, Stephanie Norlander — will be competing in a capped, four-game series this week between the U.S. Women’s National Squad and the Canadian Women’s National Team.
The matches will take place at the Spooky Nook Sports facility in Lancaster, Pa., on March 10, 11, 13 and 14. All four matches will start at 5 p.m. (CT).
Beamesderfer and Pfeiffer are members of the U.S. National Squad. Beamesderfer, the 21st former Hawkeye to represent the red, white, and blue on the national squad is in her first year, and Pfeiffer has been a member of the team since 2009.
Beamesderfer finished her Hawkeye career as a two-time All-American, four-time regional All-American and three-time All-Big Ten honoree. In 2006, she was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. As a senior in 2009, she led the team in goals (10) and defensive saves (four) and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
Pfeiffer, a two time All-American at Iowa, earned all-region honors three times, first-team All-Big Ten honors twice and was named Big Ten Tournament MVP twice. She was selected to play in the NFHCA All-Star game as a senior after leading Iowa in points (44) and goals (20). She ended her career with 53 goals to rank ninth in program history.
The duo helped lead Iowa to the 2008 NCAA Final Four and three-straight Big Ten Tournament Championships (2006-08).
Barnett, Johansen and Norlander will compete for Canada.
Barnett, a native of North Vancouver, Canada, started every game (77) of her Hawkeye career. Iowa’s 2012 and 2013 Female Athlete of the Year, was a two-time All-American, and three-time All-Big Ten honoree, regional All-American and Big Ten All-Tournament selection. Barnett was named a second team All-American by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) and Synapse Sports, earning first team Longstreth/NFHCA West Region honors as a senior. A two-time team captain, she has been named the team MVP as well as Big Ten Player of the Week three times. Barnett has competed for the Canadian Senior National Team and the Canadian Junior National Team.
Johansen, a senior on the 2013 Hawkeye squad, was selected to compete in the 2013 Front Rush/NFHCA Division I Senior Game. The North Vancouver, Canada, native played in 70 career games and made 65 starts for the Hawkeyes. She was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament team as a sophomore and junior. Johansen was selected to the Canadian Women’s National Team in April, along with Barnett. She played for the Canadian Junior National Team that faced Argentina and Chile in June of 2012, and the squad that completed the European Tour in July of 2012. Johansen was also selected to compete for the Canadian Junior National Team at the 2012 Pan American Championship.
Norlander had a standout season for Iowa as a freshman in 2013. The North Vancouver, Canada, native was named to the NFHCA West Region All-America second team and was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. She earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors twice (Sept. 17, Oct. 15). Norlander recorded 19 points, including nine goals, and scored four game-winning goals. She also earned a bronze medal for Team Canada in the Pan American Cup.
The series marks the first international matches to be held under the new Dome at the Spooky Nook Sports facility. The Dome is only one of two such domes in the entire world, with the other being located in Mannheim, Germany. The Dome is climate controlled, allowing for ideal playing conditions regardless of weather conditions.