BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The No. 2 University of Iowa field hockey team shut out Indiana, 3-0, in its Big Ten Conference opener on Friday afternoon at the IU Field Hockey Complex. The Hawkeyes improve to 7-0 to start this season – the team’s best start since 1999.
The Hawkeyes controlled every aspect of the game, out-shooting the Hoosiers, 14-4, holding Indiana to three shots on goal, and tallying five penalty corners to notch their fifth consecutive shutout of the season.
“We were able to control possession and found a way to take momentum away with some timely goals,” said Iowa head coach Lisa Cellucci.
The Hawkeyes jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute when senior Ellie Holley notched her team-leading sixth goal of the season off a rebound. Just before half, senior Lokke Stribos found the back of the cage off a penalty corner for her fifth strike of the year. Senior Leah Zellner and freshman Lieve Schalk assisted off the penalty corner, extending the Hawkeyes’ lead to 2-0.
Indiana had a flurry of penalty corners – three straight – in the fourth quarter, but Iowa goalkeeper Grace McGuire made three saves to keep the sheet clean. Iowa sealed the win in the 54th minute when senior Nikki Freeman found senior Ciara Smith for the goal to extend the lead to 3-0.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH LISA CELLUCCI
“This was a very tough game to play. Credit to Indiana, they had a fantastic game plan and played great team defense. I am proud of the poise, presence, and persistence of the group. It is great to get the first Big Ten win of the season.”
NOTABLES
- Senior Grace McGuire tallied three saves en route to her 12th career save.
- McGuire and the Iowa defense has gone 635:20 minutes of game time since allowing a second quarter goal in the win over No. 1 North Carolina.
- Iowa has scored at least three goals in each of the team’s first seven games. Three or more players have scored in every contest.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes will be back in action on Sunday as they travel to Kentucky to take on No. 5 Louisville at 1 p.m. (CT). The game will be televised on the ACC Network.
