IOWA CITY, Iowa — The start of the 1999 season was a memorable one for the University of Iowa field hockey team. The Hawkeyes won their first 10 games, which included five shutouts and a 2-0 win against then No. 2 Penn State.
The squad went on to finish the season 19-3 overall and 9-1 in conference play, their only loss came at then No. 9 Michigan. The Hawkeyes ended the season on a six-game winning streak, featuring a win over the Wolverines in Iowa City. After the hard-fought regular season, Iowa earned the title of regular-season Big Ten Champions.
Iowa then went on to the Big Ten Tournament, where they defeated Ohio State in the semifinal, 3-0 before falling to Michigan in the final, 2-1.
Their path to the Final Four started as hosts of Regionals in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes notched a first-round win over Kent State, 3-2, and a second-round win over North Carolina, a 2-0 shutout. The Hawkeyes season ended in the NCAA Final Four against soon to be national champion Maryland in double overtime, 2-1, in Boston, Massachusetts.
Lesley Irvine led the Hawkeyes in both goals with 17, and points with 47 on the season. Alycyn Freet led Iowa with 14 assists, and goalkeeper Kelly Druley recorded 104 saves.
After such a successful season, the accolades began to roll in for the Hawkeyes. For the fourth time in her career, Head Coach Beth Beglin brought home Big Ten Coach of the year.
Tiffany Leister was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. The midfielder ended the year second on the team in goals (12).
Eight Hawkeyes were named to All-Big Ten teams. Seniors Quan Nim, Sarah Thorn, and Druley were members of the first team, while Freet, Natalie Dawson, Anita Miller, Kelly Dolan and Irvine were named to the second team.
In addition to the all-Big Ten honors, three Hawkeyes earned All-American honors as well. Druley, Nim, and Thorn were named to NFHCA All-America teams. Druley was a first-team goalkeeper, Nim was a second team forward and Thorn was a third team defender.
Four Hawks were named first-team All-West Region (Miller, Druley, Nim and Thorn). Freet and Irvine were named to the All-West Region second team.
25 years later, the story of the 1999 Iowa field hockey team is still one for the books.
