VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The University of Iowa field hockey team posted its second straight 1-0 victory in as many days, upending Penn State on Sunday in a neutral site contest at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both defenses held the other without a single shot throughout the first period. The ball movement began to pick up in the second quarter. Iowa (2-0) had three shots in the second, but the contest remained scoreless at halftime.
After another scoreless third period, the Hawkeyes broke the tie in the fourth quarter. Senior Ellie Holley took the ball unassisted to the net to notch the lone goal.
Penn State (0-1) tried to answer, but a massive save by senior goalkeeper Grace McGuire secured her second consecutive shutout and victory for the Hawkeyes.
HEARING FROM HEAD COACH LISA CELLUCCI
“I am so proud of this team! We implemented the necessary changes on both sides of the ball and executed the game plan to a tee. Our team defense was what won this game. We will keep building. This is going to be an exciting team to watch.”
NOTABLES
- The Hawkeyes have won five of the last seven contests against the Nittany Lions.
- Iowa starts its season 2-0 for the first time since 2013.
- Iowa last faced the Nittany Lions in the 2019 Big Ten Championship, where the Hawkeyes defeated the Nittany Lions by the similar 1-0 score, but in overtime.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes will return to Virginia Beach next weekend to challenge Rutgers on Friday at 9:30 a.m. (CT).