Sept. 13, 2015
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — Junior Stephanie Norlander recorded her third career hat-trick in what was a dominant performance by the University of Iowa field hockey team Sunday afternoon at Grant Field. The Hawkeyes scored seven goals for the second consecutive game, while picking up their first shutout of the season in a 7-0 win over Saint Louis.
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“It felt great to get another win today,” said UI head coach Lisa Cellucci. “Yesterday and today have really given us the momentum and confidence we need heading into next weekend’s Big Ten opener.”
Iowa’s scoring frenzy began in the ninth minute with sophomore Veronique Declercq. Declercq teed off on a ball that was set up perfectly by sophomore Melissa Progar, who corralled a send in from freshman Makenna Grewe off a penalty corner. The goal was the first of Declercq’s Hawkeye career.
At the 18 minute mark, Norlander scored her first goal of the game via penalty stroke, putting the Hawkeyes up 2-0.
Shortly after, in the 20th minute, junior Chandler Ackers joined the party, notching her third goal of the season. Grewe and Progar set Ackers up perfectly off another penalty corner — Iowa had 18 penalty corners in Sunday’s contest.
With 16 seconds left before halftime, Norlander scored her second goal of the game, giving Iowa a 4-0 lead heading into the break.
In the 45th minute, it was Norlander again, scoring her third goal of the game and conference leading ninth goal of the season to put Iowa up, 5-0. Two minutes later, Ackers extended Iowa’s lead with her second goal of the game.
Iowa’s final goal came off the stick of sophomore JoElla Guagliardo in the 49th minute. Junior Sophie Plasteras drove by a pair of Billiken defenders before sending the ball over to a waiting Guagliardo, who was there for the score.
The Hawkeyes went deep into the bench against the Billikens as 18 players saw playing time. Sophomore Katie Jones made her season debut, splitting time with junior Alexandra Pecora at goal. Pecora was credited with the shutout; the third of her career.
“To have 42 shots and 18 penalty corners is unbelievable,” said Cellucci. “We had a lot of players playing in different spots today, but we still need to execute. Our forwards and midfielders played some good defense today, and to hold them (Saint Louis) to just two shots was great.”
Iowa (4-3) returns to Grant Field on Friday, Sept. 18, for its Big Ten opener against Rutgers (4-1). Game time is scheduled for 3 p.m. (CT).
