THIS WEEK
The second-seeded and third-ranked University of Iowa field hockey team will host No. 15 American in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday at noon (CT) at Grant Field. Northwestern and North Carolina will also square off in Iowa City at 2:30 p.m.
• The winners will meet Sunday at 1 p.m. for a spot in the Final Four.
• Tickets are available through the Iowa Athletics Ticket Office or on hawkeyesports.com. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children (18 and under) and UI students (with student ID).
FOLLOW LIVE
• Iowa field hockey fans can follow all contests via live stats on hawkeyesports.com. Game updates are also available on Twitter/@iowafieldhockey.
• Friday’s game will be streamed live on BTN+ with John Evans on the call.
NCAA TOURNAMENT
• This is Iowa’s 26th NCAA Tournament berth in program history. The Hawkeyes have 27 NCAA victories all-time.
• It is the first time Iowa has hosted NCAA Tournament action since the 1999 season and it is the 14th time hosting in school history. The Hawkeyes went 19-3 in 1999 and advanced to the Final Four.
• Iowa has won at least one game in the last two NCAA Tournaments. Iowa advanced to the Final Four last season for the first time since 2008.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
• Head coach Lisa Cellucci is in her eighth season at the helm of the Hawkeye field hockey program and her 22nd season overall. Cellucci has been a part of 267 Iowa victories and in 2020, she led the program to the Final Four for the 12th time — the first since 2008. Iowa has posted double digit win totals in six of her eight seasons and the Hawkeyes have won three Big Ten titles (2019, 2019 (BTT), 2021) under her watch.
• Cellucci earned her third straight Big Ten Coach of the Year honor in 2021. She is the first coach in Big Ten history to be named Coach of the Year in three consecutive seasons.
• Iowa is the outright Big Ten Conference regular season champion for the first time in 22 years (1999). The Hawkeyes claimed a share of the regular season title for a second time in three seasons with its 3-0 victory over No. 19 Ohio State on Oct. 17. Every player on the Iowa roster is now a Big Ten champion. It is the 16th title in school history.
• Senior Anthe Nijziel was named the Big Ten Co-Player of the Year and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year for a second consecutive season in 2021. She is the third player in Big Ten history (all Hawkeyes) to earn both multiple Player of the Year honors.
• Five Hawkeyes — Nijziel, Maddy Murphy, Esme Gibson, Lokke Stribos and Grace McGuire — earned All-Big Ten recognition. Nijziel (unanimous) and Murphy were first team selections; it is Murphy’s fifth career all-conference accolade.
• The Hawkeyes are ranked No. 3 in the Penn Monto/NFHCA National Division I rankings. It is the first time since Sept. 21 rankings that the team hasn’t been ranked No. 1. Iowa received seven first-place votes and 726 points and trail No. 1 Rutgers and No. 2 Michigan in the poll.
• Iowa has used the same starting lineup in all 18 games this season.
• The Hawkeyes earned their program record seventh and eighth Big Ten weekly honors on Oct. 18 when senior Maddy Murphy earned Offensive Player of the Week and senior Anthe Nijziel was the Defensive Player of the Week. It was the third honor for both this season. Nijziel also was named the NFHCA National Defensive Player of the Week for a second time on Oct. 20.
• Iowa started the season with 16 consecutive victories — the second longest winning streak in school history. It was the program’s longest streak since winning 20 straight games to start the 1992 season before falling in the NCAA finals.
• Iowa won five consecutive games against top-seven ranked opponents from Sept. 19-Oct. 3. The team is 9-2 against nationally-ranked foes, including seven wins against top-seven ranked opponents.
• Iowa finished the regular season with a 7-0 road record this season with victories at No. 5 Louisville, No. 6 Rutgers and No. 7 Maryland. The seven road wins are the most since 1999.
• The Hawkeyes posted a program-record eight consecutive shutouts from Sept. 4-26. Iowa has 11 shutouts this season — the most since 1993 when the team had a school-record 16.
• The Hawkeyes are leading the nation in shutouts (11) and scoring margin (2.79), while ranking second in goals against average (0.66), third in goals per game (3.50), points per game (9.78) and scoring average (3.45) and fourth in assists per game (2.78) and sixth in penalty corners per game (6.17).
• The Hawkeyes returned all 11 starters and a total of 21 letterwinners, including every player from last season’s Final Four team.
BIG TEN CHAMPS
The Hawkeyes are outright Big Ten regular season champions for the first time since 1999. It is the program’s second regular season title in three years and the 16th in program history.
CELLUCCI CLOSES IN ON 100
Head coach Lisa Cellucci — the three-time reigning Big Ten Coach of the Year — is approaching a milestone victory in her Hawkeye coaching career. The eighth-year head coach has 98 victories as Iowa’s head coach. She will be the fourth Hawkeye head coach to reach the 100 win milestone.
POY & DPOY
Senior Anthe Nijziel is the third player in Big Ten history and third Hawkeye all-time to earn the Big Ten Player of the Year honor more than once, joining Liz Tchou (1986, 1987) and Kristy Gleason (1992, 1993).
• Nijziel is the second Hawkeye and eighth Big Ten student-athlete to earn multiple Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors.
ALL-BIG TEN SELECTIONS
The Hawkeyes had five All-Big Ten selection — the most for the program since 2012 when assistant coach Jess Barnett was one of five Hawkeye honorees.
• Seniors Anthe Nijziel (unanimous) and Maddy Murphy were first-team selections, while seniors Grace McGuire and Lokke Stribos and junior Esme Gibson were second-team honorees. It was Nijziel’s third career honor (second straight first team) and Murphy’s fifth career accolade.
IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
Iowa is No. 3 in the Penn Monto/NFHCA National Division I rankings heading into NCAA play. The Hawkeyes were ranked No. 1 for six straight weeks heading into the postseason. The team made its debut at No. 1 on Sept. 28, marking the first time in program history the team has been atop the NFHCA poll. (The NFHCA was established in 1997.) It is believed Iowa’s last No. 1 ranking came after winning the 1986 National Championship when it finished atop the College Field Hockey Coaches Association poll.
HOW ‘BOUT THE D?
Iowa’s defense posted a program record eight consecutive shutouts from Sept. 4-26. During the stretch, the Hawkeyes surrendered just 12 shots on goal in the eight games.
• The Hawkeyes have an NCAA-best 11 shutouts this season — the most for the program since 1993 when it had a record 16 shutouts. Iowa has 11 shutouts in 18 games.
• Iowa’s defense didn’t allow a goal from the second quarter of the Aug. 29 game against No. 1 North Carolina until the fourth quarter of the Oct. 1 contest at No. 6 Rutgers. The defense went 561:03 minutes without surrendering a goal and it has allowed just nine goals in 18 games (1,100 minutes) this season.
• The Hawkeyes have allowed 94 shots (53 shots on goal) in 18 games and have surrendered just 12 goals on the season. Iowa has allowed four or fewer shots on goal in 14 of the last 16 games.
I SCORE, YOU SCORE, WE ALL SCORE
The Hawkeyes have scored 63 goals in 18 games with 15 different players finding the back of the cage. Sixteen different Hawkeyes have tallied at least one point. In contrast, Iowa had eight total players score during the 2020 season.
• Iowa’s 63 goals are fifth-best in the nation. The Hawkeyes have scored three or more goals in 11 of their 18 games. Nine different players have scored game-winning goals.
• Eleven Hawkeyes have scored at least two goals this season. Senior Ellie Holley and reserve forward Ciara Smith lead the team with eight goals apiece, while seniors Lokke Stribos and Maddy Murphy have seven goals. Both Holley and Smith’s goal totals are career highs.
• Senior Nikki Freeman has scored two game-winning goals — at No. 6 Rutgers, vs. No. 19 Ohio State. She has an efficient six goals on seven shots this season.
• Four Hawkeyes have tallied multi-goal games this season — Holley (2), Sofie Stribos (1) and Esme Gibson (1).
PC SUCCESS
The Hawkeyes have scored 21 goals — 33.3 percent of its goals — off penalty corners during the 2021 season.
ROAD WARRIORS
The Hawkeyes finished the regular season with a 7-0 record away from Iowa City this fall with victories at No. 5 Louisville, No. 6 Rutgers and No. 7 Maryland. The seven road wins are the most since 1999.
• The victory in College Park was the first for the program in school history, while the win over Rutgers snapped a 10-game Scarlet Knight home winning streak that dated back to the 2019 season.
• The win at Louisville was the first road win over a top-five ranked opponent since 2007 — a 2-0 win at No. 4 Duke.
IT’S A HOLLEY GOOD TIME
Senior Ellie Holley is enjoying a breakout 2021 season, either leading or tied for the team lead in goals (8), game-winning goals (4) and points (25). She has posted career highs in goals, game-winning goals and points and is second on the team in assists (9).
• The United Kingdom native has registered at least one point in 10 of Iowa’s 17 games.
• She has two multi-goal games this season, giving her three multi-goal games for her career.
STARTING STRONG
Iowa has allowed three goals in the first quarter this season, while scoring 14 times. The Hawkeyes have outscored their opponents 33-3 in the first half.
FRESHMEN CONTRIBUTIONS
Two Hawkeye freshmen — Lieve Schalk and Annika Herbine — have been key contributors. Schalk has started all 18 games as a midfielder, where she has four assists. Herbine has two goals and three assists as a reserve forward.
HELPING HAND
Iowa has 50 assists on its 63 goals during the 2021 season. The Hawkeyes’ 50 assists are fifth nationally and third in the Big Ten.
• Senior Maddy Murphy is tied for 11th nationally with 10 assists and senior Ellie Holley is tied for 27th with nine assists.
• Fourteen different Hawkeyes have been credited with an assist in 2021.
IRON WALL
Senior Grace McGuire made a career-high nine saves in Iowa’s 3-1 victory over No. 1 North Carolina on Aug. 29. The St. Louis, Missouri, native has 40 saves in 18 games with an NCAA-best 11 shutouts. She had a program-record eight consecutive shutouts from Sept. 4-26.
• McGuire is 16-2 with a 0.66 goals against average and a 0.769 save percentage. She leads the Big Ten in goals against average and is second save percentage, while ranking second nationally in GAA.
• In the 2-1 win over No. 2 Michigan, McGuire made four saves in the double overtime victory. She stopped four of the five Wolverine shots during the game-deciding shootout.
• McGuire didn’t allow a goal in 561:03 minutes from the second quarter against No. 1 North Carolina on Aug. 29 to the fourth quarter of the Oct. 1 game at No. 6 Rutgers.
MADDY HONORS
Senior Maddy Murphy was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week three times this season, earning the honor Aug. 30, Oct. 4, and Oct. 18. She was the NFHCA National Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 1 and Oct. 6.
• Murphy earned her first honor for her play in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, where she scored two goals and had two assists in leading the Hawkeyes to victories over No. 11 Wake Forest and No. 1 North Carolina.
• She earned her second honor of the season after scoring two goals and tallying an assist in road wins at No. 6 Rutgers and No. 7 Maryland. She scored the game-winner in the win in College Park.
• Murphy’s third honor came after tallying four points in victories over No. 2 Michigan and No. 19 Ohio State. She assisted on the game-tying goal against Michigan and scored a goal and had an assist in the win over Ohio State — a victory that gave Iowa a share of the Big Ten regular season title.
• Murphy has three career Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors and two NFHCA national honors.
ANTHE D-POW
Senior Anthe Nijziel was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week in consecutive weeks on Sept. 20 and Sept. 28 and she earned a third distinction on Oct. 18. Nijziel was tabbed as the NFHCA National Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 29 and Oct. 20.
• Nijziel earned her first nod Sept. 20 after anchoring a Hawkeye defense that posted back-to-back road shutouts at Indiana and at No. 5 Louisville. Iowa limited the two opponents to nine combined shots in the two games.
• She earned her second honor after tallying four points (1 goal, 2 assists) in Iowa’s two-game sweep of No. 6 Penn State. Iowa’s defense limited the Nittany Lions to four shots on goal in the two consecutive shutouts.
• Nijziel earned her third Big Ten and second NFHCA honor after recording five points via two goals and an assist and anchoring an Iowa defense that allowed one goal over 140 minutes in wins over No. 2 Michigan and No. 19 Ohio State. She scored the game-tying goal against the Wolverines and had a goal and an assist in the win over Ohio State, while limiting the Buckeyes to two shots in Iowa’s 11th shutout.
LOKKE & ESME HONORED
• Senior Lokke Stribos was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 4 after leading the Hawkeyes to a pair of road wins at No. 6 Rutgers and No. 7 Maryland. Iowa allowed two goals and just eight shots on goal in the two contests. It was Stribos’ first career honor.
• Junior Esme Gibson became the sixth Hawkeye to earn Big Ten weekly honors on Oct. 12 when she was tabbed as the Offensive Player of the Week. Gibson scored three goals in road wins over Michigan State and Central Michigan. She scored twice against the Spartans, including the game-winner.
B1G WEEKEND
Iowa opened the 2021 season with a two victories in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, downing No. 11 Wake Forest (5-3) and No. 1 North Carolina (3-1).
• It was the first time school history that Iowa has gone 2-0 in the Challenge.
• The win over North Carolina was the first for the program since 2008. That was the last time the Hawkeyes defeated the No. 1 ranked team in the nation.
SUPER SENIOR FINALE
The Hawkeyes welcome back Maddy Murphy, Emily Deuell, Ellie Holley and Nikki Freeman for an encore as the quartet will take advantage of the NCAA’s eligibility waiver due to COVID-19. These seniors have made four NCAA appearances, including an Elite Eight and Final Four run and they advanced to consecutive Big Ten Championship finals, including winning a title in 2019. This group has also won two Big Ten regular season titles.
EXPERIENCE GALORE
The Hawkeyes boast an experienced team with 14 upperclassmen, including four fifth-year seniors, seven seniors and three juniors. Over the past four years, Iowa’s fifth-year seniors have won 66 games.
• Seniors Anthe Nijziel and Lokke Stribos have started all 79 games of their Hawkeye careers. Fifth-year Maddy Murphy has started 96 career games, missing only one possible game (in 2020) in her Hawkeye career. Seniors Nikki Freeman (85 starts) and Ellie Holley (80 starts) have started 80+ games in their Hawkeye careers.
CONSECUTIVE STARTS
Maddy Murphy – 96 games (*missed one game in 2020)
Anthe Nijziel – 79
Lokke Stribos – 79
Ellie Holley – 66
Nikki Freeman – 42
Leah Zellner – 41
Sofie Stribos – 38
Harper Dunne – 36
Grace McGuire – 36
Esme Gibson – 35 (56 career starts; did not start one game in 2020)
Leive Schalk – 18
MMM-URPHY
Senior Maddy Murphy earned her third All-America distinction in 2021, making her the eighth Hawkeye all-time to earn three or more All-America honors. The forward led the team with 18 points a season ago off eight goals and two assists.
• Murphy has scored double digit goals in three of her first four seasons, including a career-high 13 goals in 2018. The Tasmania native has 51 career goals and 15 career game-winning goals. Her 51 goals currently rank 10th all-time in school history.
A STORIED HISTORY
• The Hawkeyes have made 26 NCAA Tournament appearances in program history — the most of any school as a member of the Big Ten Conference.
• Iowa has made 12 NCAA Final Four appearances, including winning the 1986 NCAA Championship.
• The program’s 27 NCAA Tournament victories and 12 NCAA Final Fours are the most of any school as a member of the Big Ten Conference.
SCOUTING AMERICAN
• The Eagles are 13-3 overall and the Patriot League regular season and tournament champions. American has won eight straight games dating back to Sept. 26.
• American has scored 36 goals this season with Noor Coenen leading the way with 10 goals.
• American had five All-Patriot League selections in 2021 and goalkeeper Bryn Underwood was the league’s Goalkeeper of the Year. Underwood has a 1.14 goals against average with 72 saves and six shutouts.
• Head coach Steve Jennings is the Patriot League Coach of the Year.
SERIES RECORD
• Iowa is 1-0 all-time against American, defeating the Eagles, 4-2, at the Maryland Tournament in College Park.
• Iowa and American have played two common opponents – Maryland and Boston University. The Eagles lost 4-0 to the Terps and beat Boston, 3-1.
UP NEXT
The winner of the Iowa City pod will advance to the Final Four, which will take place on Nov. 19 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
