No. 10 Hawkeyes Down Miami (Ohio), 3-1

October 12, 2014

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The 10th-ranked University of Iowa field hockey team scored a 3-1 win over Miami (Ohio) on Sunday at Grant Field in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes (9-4, 2-2 Big Ten) benefited from their top-two scorers —Stephanie Norlander and Natalie Cafone — and sophomore Jessy Silfer who netted a career-first goal against the Redhawks (4-10, 2-1 MAC).

“It was big to get the win today that’s what we needed,” said UI head coach Lisa Cellucci. “How we played wasn’t outstanding but the result was the most important. We were able to finish the game and get the win and we definitely learned a few things from what Miami threw at us.

UI sophomore Jessy Silfer put the Hawkeyes on top in the sixth minute knocking in the opening goal for the home team. The Cazenovia, New York, native gave the Hawkeyes a 1-0 lead netting the first goal of her career coming off of a corner opportunity. “I was able to score off of a penalty corner in the opening goal and I was simply in the right spot at the right time,” said Silfer. “I was in position ready for it and it just happened to tip off my stick and go in. It was a really good play and good passes from my teammates.”

The Redhawks answered with a score of their own coming off the stick of Miami’s Henni Otten in the 12th minute to tie the game at 1-1.

UI sophomore Stephanie Norlander was quick to respond netting her 13th goal this season in the 16th minute to give the Hawkeyes a 2-1 favor going into the half. The North Vancouver, Canada, native now has eight goals through her last eight games. A strong second-half performance from Iowa’s defense limited the Redhawks to just two shots and one corner in the second period. Offensively, the Hawkeyes picked up right where they left off collecting four corner opportunities and six shots in the final period.

UI junior Natalie Cafone capped the scoring for Iowa netting her team-leading 16th goal on the season 52 seconds into the half giving the home squad a 3-1 advantage.

UI sophomore Alex Pecora started at goalie and was credited with the win. Pecora (8-4) played all 70 minutes for and collected a pair of saves while surrendering one goal.

The Hawkeyes return to action next weekend with a pair of games on the road against Michigan State on Oct. 17 in East Lansing, Michigan, at 2 p.m. (CT), and Oct. 19 against Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio, at 11 a.m. (CT).