No. 15 Iowa Downs No. 4 Penn State, 4-0

October 25, 2014

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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The 15th-ranked University of Iowa field hockey program earned a 4-0 win over No. 4 Penn State Saturday at Grant Field. The Hawkeyes (11-5, 4-3) benefited from a 3-0 lead going into the half and finished strong to hold off the Nittany Lions (13-4, 4-3).

“It was by far the best game of the season,” said UI head coach Lisa Cellucci. “We completely executed the game plan from unit one up until the end of the 70 minutes and it was a dominating performance.”

The Hawkeye offense erupted in the first period and took the opening lead in the 15th minute. Chandler Ackers benefited from close range after a penalty corner giving Iowa the 1-0 advantage.

Natalie Cafone extended the lead in the 22nd minute putting Iowa on top, 2-0. The goal marked the 48th score of the Fairfield, New Jersey, natives’ career — which ranks amongst the top-10 all-time scorers at Iowa.

With just under 10 minutes to go in the first half Stephanie Norlander capped the scoring for Iowa with her 15th goal on the year from close range. Cafone registered the assist. Iowa led 3-0 going into intermission.

Dani Hemeon played in her 75th game as a Hawkeye on Senior Day, and her final regular season match on Grant Field. The Gilroy, California, native recorded three defensive saves and capped the scoring for Iowa in the 47th minute netting her 7th goal on the season to stretch the lead, 4-0.

“It was the best way to go out as a senior,” said Hemeon. “Being able to play on Grant Field one more time was great — there’s no better place in the country to play. You can’t ask for much more than being able to walk away with a shutout and a win.”

A balanced defense paired with a shutdown performance from Alexandra Pecora kept the Nittany Lions off the board throughout the game. Pecora (10-5) recorded four saves in the shutout effort.

The Hawkeyes return to action Nov. 1, on the road squaring off with Maryland at noon (CT) in College Park, Maryland.