Iowa Field Hockey: An in-depth look at the 2023 schedule

The Iowa Field Hockey team gets back on the turf this month and will be looking to make it back to the NCAA Tournament for the sixth consecutive season. The Hawkeyes get underway with a pair of exhibition games, while the season opener is set for August 25th against Wake Forest in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

Last season, Iowa got off to an 8-1 start, including a win over #1 Northwestern in Evanston, which vaulted them up to #3 in the NFHCA Top 25. A tough loss at home to #4 Maryland in overtime was the beginning of a rough stretch of six losses in nine games, but the Hawkeyes still earned an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament. They took down #5 Virginia in the first round, but dropped a heartbreaker to #3 Northwestern in a shootout with a spot in the Final Four on the line.

This season, Iowa returns Second Team All-American MF Esme Gibson, as well as six other starters, including F Annika Herbine, F Alex Wesneski, MF Sofie Stribos, MF Lieve Schalk, MF Jacey Wittel, D Harper Dunne. GK Mia Magnotta takes over in goal after starting the last three games of the season.

With that, we turn to the schedule that the Hawkeyes will go up against. They are set to face off against seven teams that made the NCAA Tournament last season, including all four teams that reached the Final Four. Ten of their 17 games come against teams that finished in the Top 25 of the RPI.

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲 🏑🏑

We will play nine games at Grant Field this fall. Check out our complete home and road slates! #Hawkeyes

➡ https://t.co/WDPUHP7Lq6 pic.twitter.com/m3XSsnN2bK

— Iowa Field Hockey (@iowafieldhockey) April 25, 2023

August 12 – at Saint Louis (Exhibition)

August 19 – vs Northwestern (Exhibition)

August 25 – vs Wake Forest (at UNC) (Big Ten/ACC Challenge)

All-time: Iowa leads the series 12-11

The Hawkeyes start the season, with their yearly season opener against Wake Forest in the Big Ten/ACC challenge. Iowa defeated the Demon Deacons 2-1 in double overtime last season. Wake went on to finish with a 15-6 record, including an appearance in the ACC Title Game. They fell in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against St Joseph’s.

Three-time All-American midfielder Meike Lanckohr’s departure, along with forward Hannah Maxwell (8 gls) leaves a couple big holes on the roster. Still, midfielders Grace Delmotte (5 gls, 13 ast), Ashley Hart (6 gls, 3 ast) and Nat Friedman (5 ast) all return, plus GK Ellie Todd who started 19 games as a true freshman last year.

August 27 – at North Carolina (Big Ten/ACC Challenge)

All-time: North Carolina leads the series 32-4

The reigning national champion Tar Heels made a shocking move this offseason to hire three-time NFHCA Player of the Year Erin Matson to replace Karen Shelton just 72 days after she played her final game. UNC defeated Iowa 3-2 in overtime and went on to complete a 21-0 undefeated season with a win over Northwestern in the national title game.

The Tar Heels are still a very talented squad, despite losing Matson, as well as forward Ashley Sessa (9 gls, 5 ast) who has opted to take an Olympic waiver to play with Team USA in the FIH Pro League. ACC Freshman of the Year forward Ryleigh Heck (18 gls) and Paityn Wirth (5 gls, 9 ast) both return, while Matson was also quick to grab a couple of transfers. Syracuse transfer Pleun Lammers comes in to fill the open forward spot, while they shored up the defensive end by adding Lehigh transfer and Second Team All-Patriot League goalkeeper Maddie Kahn.

September 1 – vs Fairfield (at Albany)

All-time: Iowa leads the series 2-0

The Stags went 11-9 last season and advanced to the NEC Championship, before falling to Rider. Fairfield went 0-4 against NCAA Tournament participants in the regular season, including a 5-0 loss to Louisville.

Fairfield will be tasked with replacing Nora Amme and Julianna Kratz, who combined for 31.7% of the Stags points last season (14 gls, 13 ast). Forwards Carmel Van Dijk (3 gls, 7 ast) and Alex Senior (5 gls, 2 ast) both return and will be asked to step into a bigger role this season. Their goalkeeper Payton Rahn returns after ranking 35th in save percentage (72.1%) last season.

September 3 – at Albany

All-time: Iowa leads the series 1-0

The Great Danes finished last season with a 16-5 record and made the NCAA Tournament as the auto-bid out of the America East. They upset #4 Michigan 2-1 in OT in the first round, but fell to Penn State in the Elite Eight 1-0.

Wake and UNC may seem like the big tests in non-conference play, but Albany will be a really tough test on the road for the Hawkeyes. The Great Danes return First Team All-American MF Alison Smisdom (15 gls, 9 ast), who finished 12th in points per game last season (1.95). Forward Sophia Schoonmaker (7 gls, 2 ast) also returns, while MF Delphine Le Jeune (12 gls, 3 ast) transfers in from Old Dominion. In goal it will be grad senior Hannah Mangan. She ranked 24th in save percentage (74.7%) last season and made 71 saves. If the Hawks get through this game with a W, it will be a good resume builder.

September 8 – vs Central Michigan (Home opener)

All-time: Iowa leads the series 13-0

It was not the greatest season for the Chippewas last season, as they finished with a 2-16 record, with wins over St Louis and Lindenwood. They went 0-3 against Big Ten teams with a -16 scoring margin.

CMU does bring back their top two points leaders from last year. Forward Kate Biglin led the way with nine goals (5 ast), while MF Amelia Lane led with six assists (4 gls). Still, it’s an offense that scored just 1.44 goals per game last year. GK Maja Halasz allowed 4.20 goals per game, but a poor defense blocks the fact that she was 36th in the country with a 72.0% save percentage.

September 10 – vs UMass Lowell

All-time: First ever meeting

The River Hawks went 12-7 last season with a 6-2 mark in America East play. They were outscored 11-4 against ranked teams and were 0-5 in such contests.

The big addition for the River Hawks over the offseason was Maryland transfer GK Christina Calandra. She ranked 33rd in the country with a 72.9% save percentage last season. They return five of their top seven point scorers, including MF Berbel Rozema (8 gls, 3 ast), F Isabelle Halters (5 gls, 2 ast) and D Alissia De Vries (2 gls, 8 ast).

September 15 – vs Vermont

All-time: First ever meeting

The Catamounts finished last season with a 13-5 record, but lost in the first round of the America East Tournament against Stanford. They took Elite Eight participant Albany to 2OT during the regular season, but lost 2-1.

This could be an underrated game on the Hawkeyes non-conference slate. Vermont returns five of their top six points leaders, including the top three. MF Sophia Drees (sister of former Hawkeye Laura Drees) leads the returners with five goals and 12 assists, while forwards Alina Gerke (7 gls, 5 ast), Maddie Moran (7 gls, 4 ast) and Sophia LeFranc (6 gls, 2 ast) all return. The big hole is at goalkeeper, where Sierra Espeland (13th in save percentage) departs. Whether it’s sophomore Lauren Halenkamp or true freshman Ila Gunner, they will be making their first career college starts.

Sept 17 – vs Merrimack College

All-time: First ever meeting

New to DI field hockey, the Merrimack Warriors are struggling to get footing, as they went 1-16 last season with their lone win coming against Sacred Heart. They most notably lost 13-0 to Maine, 8-1 to Fairfield and 6-0 to NCAA participant Rider.

The Warriors struggled to score goals last season, as they averaged just 1.18 goals per game, which ranked 76th out of 78 teams in the country. Forward Abby Allen returns after scoring seven goals last season, but they are going to need more than that if their defense continues to allow 5.29 goals per game.

September 22 – at Michigan

All-time: Iowa leads the series 44-31

The Wolverines went 14-6 last season and won the Big Ten Tournament, but were upset by Albany in Ann Arbor in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. They outscored Iowa 6-0 in three meetings.

The most interesting storyline for Michigan will be their new goalkeeper. Anna Spieker departs, which moves sophomore Caylie McMahon into the starting role. She is a former high school All-American and was the 2019 Massachusetts Player of the Year. On the offensive side, their top goalscorers are back, including forward Lora Clarke (11 gls, 3 ast). The Wolverines also return forwards Abby Tamer (9 gls, 4 ast) and Kate McLaughlin (6 gls, 3 ast). The Hawkeyes will be trying to break a four-game losing streak against Michigan.

September 29 – vs Ohio State

All-time: Iowa leads the series 53-15

The Buckeyes finished last season with an 11-8 record, including wins over Iowa and Albany. They lost in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament against Maryland. The Buckeyes were 2-6 against NCAA Tournament participants.

Ohio State could be the surprise team of the year in the Big Ten. They got a couple of big wins last year and return a lot of pieces from that team, including goalkeeper Abby Danson. She ranked sixth in the country in save percentage (79.0%) and racked up 79 saves. Sarah Charley departs after scoring 12 goals last year, but MF Leanne Bough (8 gls, 3 ast) and F Makenna Webster (6 gls, 3 ast) both return. They bolstered the defense with the addition of four-time All-America East transfer Julie Rodijk (66 starts) out of Albany.

October 1 – vs Michigan State

All-time: Iowa leads the series 56-15-1

The Spartans started 3-0 last season, but ended up with a 9-9 record and a 1-7 mark in Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes defeated MSU 1-0 on Senior Day. They were 0-6 against NCAA Tournament participants.

The MSU offense wasn’t real great last year and losing their top two scorers does not help the cause. Forward Lulu Fulton (5 gls) is the leading goal scorer returing, so they will look to Hannah Jarvie (4 gls), Ellie Rutherford (4 gls) or Emma O’Neill (4 gls) to step up. Luckily, their top three assist leaders are back, including Ellie Wheatley (7 ast). The Spartans will be breaking in a new goalkeeper.

October 6 – vs Northwestern

All-time: Iowa leads the series 57-29-1

The Wildcats started 8-0 last year, before Iowa ended their undefeated run in Evanston. Still, Northwestern went 20-5, beat Iowa in the NCAA Tournament and reached the national championship, where they fell to North Carolina.

Northwestern is probably the biggest unknown coming into the month of August. Star forward Bente Baekers (25 gls, 8 ast) is no longer on the roster, but the Wildcats have plenty of talent left on the roster….maybe. First Team All-American MF Maddie Zimmer and MF Lauren Wadas (6 gls, 3 ast) both return, but have both been named as players to potentially take an Olympic waiver and play with Team USA in the FIH Pro League. Also in that same conversation is true freshman Olivia Bent Cole who was named MAX Field Hockey Player of the Year last year.

What we do know is that forward Peyton Halsey (13 gls, 4 ast) and D Alia Marshall (13 ast) both return, along with GK Annabel Skubisz. Skubisz ranked 9th in the country last year with a 72.8% save percentage and finished with 111 total saves. The ‘Cats also added All-Atlantic 10 Richmond transfer Lindsey Frank (8 gls, 5 ast). The decisions from Zimmer, Wadas and Bent Cole will have a large impact on how Northwestern is viewed going into the season.

October 13 – at Indiana

All-time: Iowa leads the series 24-7

The Hoosiers went 9-10 last season with a 1-7 mark in Big Ten play. They did take Northwestern to wire and defeated Rutgers, but the Hawkeyes won 5-1 in Iowa City.

Indiana could be a vastly improved team this season and it starts with their addition of Ohio State transfer forward Sarah Charley (12 gls, 3 ast). They also return forwards Jemima Cookson (6 gls, 3 ast) and Anna Mozelski (3 gls, 29 shots). Second Team All-Big Ten selection Sydney Keld (6 gls, 3 ast) returns on the defensive end, but it will be goalkeeper Arabella Loveridge that determines the Hoosiers improvement. She allowed 1.91 goals per game and ranked 50th in save percentage (70.2%) a year ago.

October 15 – at Louisville

All-time: Louisville leads the series 7-6

The Cardinals went 12-8 last season, but limped into the postseason with a 1-5 mark in ACC play. They lost to Virginia in the ACC Tournament and fell to Penn State in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament.

Leading the way for the Cardinals is a pair of returning All-Americans. Forward Aimee Plumb led the offense with eight goals and seven assists, which earned her Third Team AA honors. Julie Kouijzer (6 gls, 2 ast) was named Second Team AA and returns to anchor the defense. They do have to replace GK Sasha Elliott who ranked 14th in save percentage and 12th in saves.

October 20 – at Maryland

All-time: Maryland leads the series 18-6-1

The Terrapins finished 19-4 last season with a 7-1 in Big Ten play, including a 2-1 OT win over Iowa. They defeated Liberty and Syracuse to advance to the Final Four, but were knocked off by runner-up Northwestern.

The Terps are set to have another really good team this season, but they took a bit of a hit, as First Team All-Big Ten midfielder Emma DeBerdine (7 gls, 7 ast) will take an Olympic waiver to play for Team USA in the FIH Pro League. Still, there is a lot of talent on the roster. First Team All-American forward Hope Rose (14 gls, 8 ast) and All-Ivy League Princeton transfer Sammy Popper (9 gls, 2 ast) are the big offensive threats. In the midfield, DeBerdine is gone, but All-CAA Delaware transfer Ashlynn Car (4 gls, 14 ast) comes in. Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Year Ericka Morris-Adams anchors the defensive end, but the concern comes between the goalposts. Christina Calandra transferred to UMass Lowell and Paige Kieft was last in the Big Ten (by a lot) with a 48.1% save percentage in conference games.

October 22 – at Penn State

All-time: Iowa leads the series 33-27-1

The Nittany Lions went 17-4 last season and won the Big Ten regular season title, including an OT win over Iowa. They advanced to the Final Four with wins over Louisville and Albany, but fell to eventual champion North Carolina.

Penn State loses 40.7% of their points from last season, but the good news is that First Team All-American forward Sophia Gladieux (23 gls, 3 ast) and Second Team All-American MF Mackenzie Allessie (12 gls, 18 ast) are back. They combined for 54.5% of the team’s points, so that makes the losses a bit easier to deal with. First Team All-American GK Brie Barraco returns after ranking 7th in save percentage (79.1%, 91 saves). Their best players are back, but the rest will be fairly inexperienced.

October 28 – vs Rutgers (Senior Day)

All-time: Iowa leads the series 10-3-1

The Scarlet Knights went 8-10 last season with a 3-5 mark in Big Ten play. They played an incredible 14 games against ranked teams and went 5-9 in those games, including a win against Northwestern and a loss to Iowa.

Rutgers returns four of their top five points leaders, including Third Team All-American D Iriis Langejans (4 gls, 8 ast), MF Marique Dieudonne (4 gls, 4 ast) and forward Indy van Ek (5 gls). They also return Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Year Puck Winter (3 gls) on the defensive end, as well as goalkeeper Sophia Howard (70.7% save pct, 87 saves).

Nov 2-5 – Big Ten Tournament (Ann Arbor, MI)

The Hawkeyes have made the Big Ten Tournament 29 times in a row and have won six tournament championships. They have a 31-23 all-time record in turnament games, but are just 1-3 since their 2019 championship.