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COLUMBUS, Ohio — The 13th-ranked University of Iowa field Hockey team edged No. 23 Ohio State 2-1 in overtime on Sunday with goals from Sophie Sunderland and Katie Birch. The Hawkeyes have now won three straight games and are 10-2 (3-1) on the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In an even first half, the Hawkeyes scored first on Sunderland’s fifth goal of the season. Junior Katie Birch was credited with her team-leading eighth assist. Iowa scored the lone goal of the first half to lead 1-0 at the break. Each team had three shots and three penalty corners at halftime.
Nine minutes (44:49) into the second half, Ohio State scored an equalizer off the stick of Jessica Hourihnae to tie the score at one. After the Buckeyes tied the game, it was a defensive battle. In the last five minutes of the second half, Iowa registered three shots, but Ohio State’s goalkeeper saved the one shot on goal. Tied at one, Iowa headed to overtime for the second time this season.
In the first overtime period, it was all Ohio State, who registered four shots to Iowa’s zero. Junior goalkeeper Leslie Speight saved Ohio State’s shot on goal in the 72nd minute, and Iowa’s defense stifled a Buckeye penalty corner attempt in the 80th minute.
Momentum shifted to the Hawkeyes in the second overtime period when Katie Birch put a shot on goal two minutes in, followed by an Anthe Nijziel shot three minutes later. In the 85th minute, Birch sealed the contest with the game-winning goal in front of the net on a pass from Sunderland.
QUOTING COACH CELLUCCI
“The definition of grit was displayed by the Hawks. Ohio State is an outstanding team and they gave us a battle for over 87 minutes of play. We need to be able to problem solve throughout the game and clean up our decision making, especially when we are fatigued. We are proud of the team for the way they fought for each other today. They were not willing to leave Columbus without a win.”
HAWKEYE NOTABLES
- With three straight wins, Iowa is off to its best 12-game start since 2008.
- The Hawkeyes are now 3-2 against top-25 opponents with wins against No. 14 Wake Forest, No. 25 California, and No. 23 Ohio State, all of which were away from home.
- Iowa is 1-1 in overtime games this season.
- Sophie Sunderland has scored in back-to-back games and has scored five goals this season — the third most on the team.
- Goalkeeper Leslie Speight moved to 10-2 on the year with three saves, while allowing only one goal. It’s just the eighth goal she’s allowed in 12 games.
- Katie Birch recorded four points this weekend with two assists and one goal in two games. Birch is second on the team with 22 points, behind Maddy Murphy‘s 23 points.
- Freshman Anthe Nijziel recorded two of three shots on goal today.
UP NEXT
Iowa returns home for two ranked opponents next weekend. On Friday, Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. (CT), the Hawkeyes will face No. 6 Michigan. On Sunday, Oct. 7 at 2:30 p.m. (CT), Iowa faces No. 25 Stanford in its last non-conference game of the season. Both games will be streamed live on BTN Plus.
