Iowa Field Hockey shocks third-ranked Ohio State in Columbus
The Iowa Field Hockey team has faced a lot of adversity this season. Preseason injuries, inconsistent play with a young roster and four overtime/shootout losses had the Hawkeyes in a spot they very rarely experience. After Friday’s loss to Michigan State, Lisa Cellucci’s squad dropped to last place in the Big Ten standings and in danger of missing the Big Ten Tournament for the first time in program history.
With two games against top ten ranked teams remaining on the schedule, the Hawkeyes could have closed up shop on the season. Instead, they pulled off a shocking 3-0 upset over third-ranked Ohio State on Sunday afternoon. The win puts Iowa in the final Big Ten Tournament spot going into the final game of the season.
After a scoreless first half, the Hawkeyes got on the board in the 35th minute. OSU defender Claudia Thomas mishandled a pass in her own circle and Alex Wesneski was able to convert the turnover into a goal. GK Abby Danson was put in a nearly impossible position to save a shot 1v1, and Wesneski slotted it past Danson for her third goal of the season.
The Hawkeyes kept the pressure on and broke through again with a massive insurance goal in the 41st minute. Annika Herbine inserted on the penalty corner and got the ball back for a shot on goal, but Abby Danson made the save. The ball deflected towards the back post where Lieve van Kessel was able to tap it in for the goal. Her fifth goal of the season gave Iowa a two-goal advantage with under 20 minutes to play.
The Buckeyes opted to pull their goalkeeper with 6:11 to play, but it did not lead to a comeback. In the 59th minute, Rachel Herbine found Dionne van Aalsum streaking down the field all by herself. van Aalsum jogged the ball to the goal line and scored the easiest goal of her life to make it 3-0 Hawkeyes with just seconds remaining.
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The Hawkeyes were outshot by OSU 11-8, while the Buckeyes held a 6-4 advantage in penalty corner opportunities. However, Iowa GK Mia Magnotta saved all five shots she faced to keep Ohio State off the scoreboard. It’s the first time all season that OSU has been shutout out home.
Going into the final game of the regular season, Iowa can clinch a spot in the Big Ten Tournament with a win over #7 Michigan. If the Hawkeyes lose, they can still earn a spot in the tournament, with losses by Penn State (Maryland) and Michigan State (vs Indiana). Both of those results are favored to go Iowa’s way.
Up Next: The Hawkeyes will close out the regular season with a home game against the seventh-ranked Michigan Wolverines on Friday. The game is set to get underway at 5:00pm CT on BTN+.
