WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – No. 2 North Carolina rallied from a 2-0 deficit to hand the fifth-ranked University of Iowa field hockey team a 3-2 overtime defeat on Sunday in an ACC/Big Ten Challenge game at Kentner Stadium.
The loss was the Hawkeyes’ first against a non-Big Ten Conference team since the 2020 season.
Iowa jumped on the Tar Heels early, getting a fourth minute goal from junior Alex Wesneski to put the Hawkeyes up 1-0. Lokke Stribos sent a shot toward the cage and Wesneski had a perfect deflection to beat UNC goalkeeper Katie Walbert.
The Hawkeyes pushed their lead to 2-0 early in the second quarter when senior Sofie Stribos found an opening and fired a shot from just inside the top of the circle. It was her first goal of the season.
North Carolina got on the board in the 42nd minute on a strike from Lisa Slinkert before tying the game at the 52:37 mark on a strike from Sietske Bruning.
In overtime, Ashley Sessa fired a shot at the 63:57 mark where senior Grace McGuire made her 11th save, but UNC All-American Erin Matson was stationed in front of the cage and she capitalized on the rebound to give the Tar Heels the victory.
McGuire was magnificent in goal, making a career-high 11 saves. The St. Louis, Missouri, native faced 22 shots, including 14 on goal, in the game.
QUOTING COACH CELLUCCI
“We executed the game plan to perfection today. I am so proud of the resilience and grit that that team played with. We showed what it looks like to play our standard of Iowa field hockey.”
OF NOTE…
-Wesneski’s goal was the sixth of her career. She has scored in back-to-back games this season.
-Sofie Stribos’ goal was the ninth of her career.
-Iowa played back-to-back overtime games in the first two games of the season.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes open their home state on Friday, hosting Boston University at 3 p.m. (CT) at Grant Field.