No. 8 Michigan State ended the Iowa field hockey team’s 10-match Big Ten Tournament winning streak on Nov. 6, defeating the Hawkeyes, 5-1, in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament in East Lansing, Mich.
The loss puts Iowa at 9-10 overall, and the sub-.500 record leaves the Hawkeyes ineligible for an NCAA Tournament at-large bid.
Iowa looked to continue its recent hot streak, entering the game having won five of its last six games. The high-powered Spartan offense proved too much for the Hawkeyes in the first half.
Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Floor Rijpma, along with teammates Manouk Vernij, Jeamie Deacon, and Adelle Lever all scored goals for Michigan State, leaving Iowa with a 4-0 hole before halftime.
Iowa senior cocaptain Tricia Dean scored her final collegiate goal at the 46:32 mark of the second half, trimming the margin to 4-1. Junior Sarah Pergine was credited with the assist — her third of the tournament.
But Iowa wasn’t able to overcome the deficit, and a second goal from Vernij at the 62:44 mark extended Michigan State’s lead to 5-1 and the eventual win.
Michigan State went on to defeat third-seeded Indiana in Sunday’s Big Ten championship game.
— by Jordan Garretson
