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Evanston, Ill. — The University of Iowa field hockey team got back on the winning trail against No. 25 California in a 4-1 win on Saturday. Four different Hawkeyes scored a goal to improve their record to 8-2.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Eleven minutes into the game on the first shot from either team, junior midfielder Katie Birch put the Hawkeyes up 1-0 after she poked the ball past California goalkeeper Danielle Mentink for her sixth goal of the season. Iowa kept the pressure on Cal, registering a penalty corner three minutes later, but failed to capitalize on two quick shots. The Hawkeyes extended their lead to 2-0 on a two-on-one breakaway when junior forward Ryley Miller assisted sophomore Maddy Murphy for her team-leading eighth goal of the season.
First-half scoring wasn’t done, except this time Cal found the scoreboard on a Janaye Sakkas rebound goal after a Leslie Speight save. At the half, Iowa led 2-1, outshooting Cal six to two with three shots on goal.
Six minutes into the second half, Leslie Speight registered two saves. In the 48th minute, Iowa had a penalty corner attempt, but freshman Anthe Nijziel missed wide. Four minutes later, freshman Lokke Stribos scored her first Hawkeye goal on an unassisted play just inside the circle. Cal switched goalkeepers late in the second half and then went to an empty net with five minutes left in the game. Makenna Grewe sealed the game away with an empty netter for her fourth goal of the season.
QUOTING COACH CELLUCCI
“We maximized our opportunities today on attacking and scored some great goals. It was a battle for 70 minutes and Cal kept us on our toes with their dangerous counter attack. I am really proud of the team’s resiliency to bounce back after a tough game yesterday.”
HAWKEYE NOTABLES
- Iowa is now 2-2 against top-25 opponents this season.
- All four Hawkeye goals today were unassisted.
- Junior goalkeeper Leslie Speight’s four saves were the most she’s recorded since Sept. 2 against Ball State. Speight moves to 8-2, while allowing only 0.69 goals per game with a .833 save percentage.
- Maddy Murphy netted her team-leading eighth goal of the season to increase her season point total to 20, which also leads the team.
- Freshman Lokke Stribos scored her first Hawkeye goal and became the third freshman to score this season.
- Senior Makenna Grewe now has the third most goals on the team with four.
UP NEXT
Next weekend, the Hawkeyes stay on the road for two Big Ten matchups. On Sept. 28, Iowa will travel to East Lansing to face Michigan State. On Sept. 30, Iowa travels to Columbus to face No. 23 Ohio State.
