IOWA CITY, Iowa – Senior Leah Zellner’s first quarter goal led the third-ranked University of Iowa field hockey team to a 1-0 victory over No. 21 Rutgers on Sunday afternoon at Grant Field.
The win moves the Hawkeyes’ record to 9-2 overall, 3-1 in Big Ten play. It was Iowa’s fourth win over a ranked foe this season.
After senior goalkeeper Grace McGuire made four first quarter saves on a flurry of Scarlet Knight shots, Iowa took the lead in the 13th minute. Senior Sofie Stribos was streaking down the field and set up Zellner, who fired the shot just inside the circle for her first goal of the season.
“It was a total team effort today,” said Zellner. “I got a great pass from Sofie Stribos and I was wide open.”
McGuire made five saves in the game with her final coming on a Rutgers shot in the fourth quarter that spun on the line before McGuire kicked it away. The shutout was her fourth of the season and 22nd of her career.
QUOTING HEAD COACH LISA CELLUCCI
“That was a lot of resilience and grit by our defense today. That is a hard team to play; they are very physical, especially with all the over heads and how hard they hit the ball. I thought we got braver as the game went on to sit, anticipate and intercept. That was the key. I was proud of the defensive effort.”
OF NOTE…
– The Hawkeyes are 3-1 in Big Ten play with their lone loss coming against No. 4 Maryland on Friday in an overtime contest.
– Iowa scored single goals in back-to-back games for the first time this season.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes hit the road for five straight games, beginning with a Friday afternoon matchup at No. 6 Penn State in University Park, Pa.
