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Iowa City, Iowa — Three University of Iowa field hockey student-athletes — Katie Birch, Mallory Lefkowitz and Melissa Progar — earned preseason All-Big Ten recognition, the Big Ten Conference announced Monday.
Birch, a sophomore midfielder, started all 19 games in 2016. She recorded 12 goals and four assists for 28 points for the Hawkeyes in her freshman campaign — the second most on the team. The York, England, native earned second-team All-Big Ten honors last season and was named Freshman of the Year by the league office. Birch received Freshman of the Week recognition twice last season.
Lefkowitz, a returning senior forward started all 19 games last season. She registered one goal and three assists for five points. The Kingston, Pennsylvania, native earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2016 for the second consecutive year.
Progar, a senior midfielder, who earned preseason All-Big Ten recognition in 2016, started all 19 games last season. She recorded a team-high 12 assists (second in the Big Ten). The Yorktown, Virginia, native earned Academic All-Big Ten and NFHCA Academic honors in 2016.
The Hawkeyes open the 2017 season hosting the ACC/Big Ten Challenge in Iowa City, Iowa, this weekend. Iowa takes on Wake Forest on Aug. 26 at 2 p.m. before facing UNC on Aug. 27. at 2 p.m.
