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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The 22nd-ranked University of Iowa field hockey team fell to No. 3 Michigan, 3-2, at Grant Field on Sunday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Wolverines jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first half scoring in the 25th, 26th, and 34th minutes. They held the Hawkeyes off the scoreboard and took the three-goal lead into halftime. Iowa responded in the second half, scoring in the 42nd minute. Freshman Nikki Freeman received a pass in the center of the circle and beat the Michigan goalkeeper to make the score, 2-1. Sophomore Katie Birch made it a one-goal match in the 63rd minute when she scored off a corner. The Hawkeyes were awarded a penalty corner in the 68th minute, but Maddy Murphy’s deflection hit the post, securing the 3-2 victory for the Wolverines.
QUOTING HEAD COACH LISA CELLUCCI
“Our stick-to-stick passing really hurt us today, and we need to keep working on our team defense. We are getting better, but we are giving up too many goals with numbers. We need to have a little more discipline in our defensive third. Other than that, we played a great 50 minutes. Our backs are against the wall now. We need to get some wins to extend our season, and we really picked up the urgency today.
NOTABLE
- Senior Katie Jones made six saves in the loss.
- The Hawkeyes turned aside all three penalty corners that they faced.
- Birch’s goal marks her 13th of the season, the most goals in a single season for the sophomore.
- The Hawkeyes are only the second Big Ten team to score more than one goal against Michigan this season.
- Nine of Iowa’s 10 losses have come to top-25 opponents.
- The Hawkeyes have lost seven matches by one goal.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes conclude their regular season next weekend. They face Michigan State at 2 p.m. (CT) on Friday in East Lansing, Michigan and finish the season against Ohio State at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Grant Field. Iowa will be honoring its seniors before Sunday’s match.
