Head coach Lisa Cellucci and her Iowa field hockey team have gotten off to a rocky offensive start this season — but are looking to build off of recent momentum moving into Big Ten play.

The Hawkeye offensive unit ranks at the bottom of the Big Ten in production, tied with only Indiana in fewest goals scored. Along with a lack of goal generation, Iowa has struggled to manufacture shots on goal in general, ranking last in the conference in that category with 75.

“We really do have people that can produce upfront,” Cellucci said. “We just haven’t been as connected because they are not used to playing together. Individually, they are very good goal scorers. It’s just us playing together and understanding timing, flow, and finding a way to stay consistently connected.”

Cellucci and her staff have struggled putting together a steady lineup every game. Injuries and an overall youthful roster have caused the coaches to flip-flop a lot of their rotation.

“It really has changed up a lot of the combinations,” Cellucci said. “Now we have a little more consistency in the lineup, so I think that is going to help as well.”

As far as what the team has to do to improve its scoring output, Cellucci says it comes down to taking advantage of opportunities. Cellucci has been pleased with the shots they have generated but needs to see an increase in execution.

“We have to be able to get upgrades and outcomes in our offensive [zone],” Cellucci said. “We are getting lots of entries inside the 25 and inside the circle, but we are just not getting positive outcomes out of it.”

Another factor in the lack of offensive production is the recognition second-year forward Dionne van Aalsum has received. Last year, she established herself as one of the top players in the country after leading all of field hockey in goals scored with 28.

This season hasn’t been as easy.

Teams have identified van Aalsum’s abilities and have made specific game plans for the talented forward, sometimes throwing multiple defenders her way in an effort to take the ball out of her possession.

Van Aalsum has mustered just four goals this season. But, despite the decrease in production, Cellucci hasn’t seen any change in the way she carries herself on the field.

“Her confidence hasn’t wavered,” Cellucci said. “I think she is pressing a little bit because she wants to score goals — that’s part of her. But for us and for her, we are just continually trying to pump her up. Just keep playing your game and keep getting shots off. When you are really feeling pressure, you have to dish, and then you support and join and get the ball again.”

An increase in execution will certainly strengthen this No. 13 Iowa team, especially as the defense is as strong as ever. Greater offensive pressure takes the weight off of the back side of the team.

Still, the team has shown flashes of what the unit can do when clicking on that side of the field. The past two away games are prime examples of what the offense is capable of.

Iowa’s latest road trip saw the team taking on Rutgers and Villanova. In these contests, the Hawkeyes showed glimpses of what the offense can be. The team scored two goals in each game, with every goal coming from a different scorer.

“We can do it,” Cellucci said. “Against Rutgers — our back was against the wall — and we had to score some goals in really timely moments. They received some confidence from that, knowing we have the skills to do this.”