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Hawkeyes shut out #19 Albany, #1 ranking awaits on Tuesday

On3 imageby:Kyle Huesmann•09/03/23•

HuesmannKyle

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Photo by Dennis Scheidt

When the new NFHCA Coaches Poll is released on Tuesday morning, it is almost certain that the Iowa Field Hockey will find themselves in the #1 spot for the first time since the 2021 season. Three ranked wins aways from home, including a win over the current #1 team is definitely a worthy resume for the top spot. Their latest win came against an Albany team that finished with a 9-3 record at home last season. The Hawkeyes used two early goals to set the tone and rolled to a 3-0 shutout victory over the 19th ranked Great Danes.

“Great team win against a very talented Albany team,” said head coach Lisa Cellucci. “When we stuck to the game plan we were clinical. Lots of growth this weekend. We are excited to get back home and play in front of the home crowd on Grant Field next weekend.” 

After scoring 16 seconds into the game on Friday against Fairfield, the Hawkeyes waited until the 2nd minute to get the scoring underway today. Miranda Jackson found some space alone the far sideline and sent a pass into the circle towards Dionne van Aalsum. The freshman to freshman connection led to a goal, as van Aalsum cut in front of an Albany defender and redirected the pass into the goal for her seventh of the season.

The Great Danes didn’t get much time to reset, as Iowa put the pressure back on in the 4th minute with their first penalty corner of the game. Annika Herbine inserted to Dionne van Aalsum on the short side and she beat Albany GK Hannah Mangan for the second time to make it 2-0 Hawkeyes. The true freshman has scored eight goals over the first four games of the season.

The Iowa defense faced a couple of penalty corners from Albany in the second quarter, but held strong to keep their two goal advantage intact. Despite some pressure midway through the quarter from the Great Danes, it was the Hawkeyes with another threatening chance in the 27th minute. Dionne van Aalsum was awarded a penalty shot, but GK Hannah Mangan was able to make a sprawling save to keep Iowa from extending their lead. Shots were tied 5-5 at the half, but it was the Hawkeyes with a 4-2 advantage in shots on goal.

Out of the halftime break, the third quarter came and went without much action. That played into the hands of Iowa, as they were the ones playing with a lead. However, Albany did not go without a fight. They forced the Hawkeyes to defend three penalty corners just four minutes into the final quarter.

All-American midfielder Alison Smisdom is the premier shot taker for the Great Danes, but the Iowa defensive penalty corner unit turned her away twice, including a diving save from GK Mia Magnotta to keep Albany off the scoreboard. Head coach Phil Sykes opted to pull his GK Lara Behn, who played the second half, with four minutes to play, but it did not lead to an offensive spark for his squad.

Instead, Behn was forced to come back on the field in the 58th minute, as the Hawkeyes were awarded their second penalty shot of the game. This time it was Hillary Cox at the spot and she found the back of the net for her first career goal to make it 3-0 in the closing stages of the game.

Iowa outshot Albany 9-7, including a 7-3 advantage on shots on goal. Through three games, the Hawkeyes have outshot opponents 53-31 and outscored them 13-2. Mia Magnotta has made ten saves on 12 shots faced for an 83.3% save percentage.

Up Next, Iowa returns to Iowa City for their home opening weekend at Grant Field. The Hawkeyes will face Central Michigan on Friday, before a matchup with UMass Lowell on Sunday. Friday’s game is set to begin at 3:00pm CT and will be streamed on BTN+.

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