The Iowa field hockey team won its home opener in dominant fashion against Central Michigan on Friday.
The Hawkeyes netted eight goals to the Chippewas’ none at Grant Field in Iowa City, and five different Hawkeyes scored.
“Our whole goal today was to come out fast and upgrade every quarter, so I think we did a really good job at that through at least the first three quarters,” Iowa head coach Lisa Cellucci said. “It’s tough to stay disciplined, but we challenged them every quarter with a little something different, and they stuck to the plan.”
The Hawkeyes responded to Cellucci’s challenge with five goals scored in the first half.
Freshman forward Dionne van Aalsum started things off for the Hawkeyes with the first three Iowa goals of the game in a span of three minutes. This marked the Netherlands product’s first hat trick of her collegiate career and first Hawkeye to do it since Miranda Murphy in 2019.
🎩🎩🎩🎩🎩
First half hat trick for Dionne!!!!
Q2 15:50 | No. 1 Iowa 3, Central Michigan 0 #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/0qi9P56Jw4
— Iowa Field Hockey (@iowafieldhockey) September 8, 2023
The Hawkeyes capped the half off with a pair of goals from freshman forwards Miranda Jackson and Tess Reed to enter halftime with a 5-0 lead.
In the second half, the Hawkeyes picked up right where they left off.
Van Aalsum and fifth-year senior forward Sofie Stribos found the cage in the third period, both with assists from fifth-year senior midfielder Esme Gibson, who totaled three assists on the day.
The Hawkeyes added the finishing touches to the shutout when Jackson put up her second goal of the contest with under five minutes to go. It marked the first multi-goal game of her Hawkeye career.
Goal #8 by #8 🎱
Miranda Jackson with her second goal of the day!
Q4 56:42 | No. 1 Iowa 8, Central Michigan 0#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/6GNTqu1Kw4
— Iowa Field Hockey (@iowafieldhockey) September 8, 2023
“It’s great to get everyone from the team on the field,” Gibson said. “[It’s] really great to get everyone minutes and experience. Great goals from freshmen contributing really well. [It was] just a really good team performance.”
The Iowa defense was suffocating against Central Michigan, not only putting up their fourth shutout of the season but also not allowing a single shot from the Chippewas offense.
The Hawkeye defense has only allowed 10 shots on goal in five contests.
“My whole team is great, and my defense is especially great,” sophomore goalie Mia Magnotta said. “They really tune into what I’m saying, which makes me feel good. They always work hard and put their best foot forward out there.”
Magnotta has now improved to 5-0 on the season.
Number one
The Iowa field hockey team was ranked the No. 1 team in the country this past week by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association. This is the second time in program history, the first being back in 2021.
While the accomplishment is big, a reflection of the progress and success so far, the Hawkeyes’ focus will still remain high for the rest of the season.
“We are definitely super proud of ourselves; we feel like we have worked hard so far this season,” Magnotta said. “But the season is definitely not over yet. [We’ve] definitely [got our] foot on the gas and just keep growing and keep learning.”
Up next
The Iowa field hockey team will finish the weekend again at home with a game on Sunday against the University of Massachusetts Lowell at Grant Field, the game starting at 11 a.m.
The Hawkeyes will remain home the next week as they take on the University of Vermont and Merrimack College on Friday and Sunday. Games will begin at 3 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.