IOWA CITY, Iowa – Three first-quarter goals led the top-ranked University of Iowa field hockey team to a 5-1 victory over UMass Lowell on Sunday afternoon at Grant Field.
The win moves the Hawkeyes’ record to 6-0 overall.
“I thought UMass Lowell gave us a really good challenge. Their strategy was great,” said head coach Lisa Cellucci. “They were trying to catch us in transition. It took us awhile to adjust, but we were opportunistic with our goals, and that helped us settle in.”
Freshman Dionne van Aalsum started off the scoring with a goal in the fourth minute off an assist by freshman Miranda Jackson. Rookie Lieve van Kessel extended the Hawkeye lead with an unassisted goal 10:41 into the game.
Van Aaslsum wrapped up the first quarter with her second goal assisted by junior Lieve Schalk and junior Annika Herbine.
UMass Lowell responded at the start of the second quarter with a goal by Berbel Rozema, assisted by Mirthe Gans and Cate Kleenman.
Van Aalsum finished the contest with back-to-back goals in the second half. The Castricum, Netherlands, native scored in the 43rd minute unassisted and in the 59th minute off an assist from fifth year Sofie Stribos for her second four-goal game of the weekend.
Of Note…
– The Hawkeye defense have only given up three goals this season.
– Van Aalsum recorded back-to-back games with four goals. She now has 16 goals in six games.
– Coming into the weekend van Aalsum ranked second in the nation with 2.00 goals per game and eight goals.
– The Hawkeyes have scored 12 goals in their last two games, and 25 goals through the first six games.
Up Next
The No. 1 Hawkeyes continue play at home hosting Vermont at 3 p.m. on Sep. 15.