As the regular season comes to a close, the No. 11 Iowa field hockey team starts to prepare for its postseason run. But how far can the Hawkeyes really go in the playoffs?
By comparing the Hawkeyes’ last three seasons’ stats, outcomes, and player additions, the squad holds a good chance of making a deep postseason run.
In 2022, Iowa ended the season 12-8 overall and 4-4 in conference play. Seven of the Hawkeyes’ final eight games of the regular season featured ranked opponents, and Iowa went 2-5 in those matchups. Michigan proved to be especially difficult, as Iowa failed to score a goal in the team’s three matchups.
After falling in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals, Iowa rebounded with an upset over No. 5 Virginia in the NCAA Tournament before losing to No. 3 Northwestern in the next round.
Unique to the 2022 season was the fact only two first-years made up the roster: defender Milly Short and goalkeeper Mia Magnotta. Coincidentally, for the Hawkeyes, those two players are this season’s only seniors. Both Short and Magnotta made multiple appearances in 2022, including the postseason.
In 2023, Iowa ended the season 13-6 overall and 4-4 in Big Ten action. The Hawkeyes, led by the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award-winner Dionne Van Aalsum, qualified for both postseason tournaments once again, but went 0-2 in those appearances.
With eight key freshman additions like Van Aalsum, the Hawkeyes got started early, preparing their team for the future. As all eight of those freshmen currently make up the junior class on the 2025 roster.
The following season saw a devastating drop-off. The team ended the year 9-9 overall and 2-6 in the Big Ten. After losing to Maryland in the Big Ten Tournament for the second consecutive year, Iowa failed to qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017.
Nevertheless, Iowa finished fourth in Division I in shutouts per game (.50) and ranked third in save percentage (.800). The Hawkeyes also added another eight freshmen to the team, who all still reside on the roster here in 2025 as sophomores.
This year bears resemblance to the past record-wise, as Iowa finished the regular season 11-4 overall and 4-3 in conference play with notable wins against teams like No. 6 Wake Forest, No. 16 Miami (OH), No. 18 Rutgers, and No. 21 Michigan.
Iowa’s four losses this season have come to No. 1 North Carolina, 4-1, No. 4 Northwestern, 3-1, No. 19 Maryland, 2-1, and Penn State, 1-0, in double overtime.
Despite the close defeats, the Hawkeyes have developed an offensive roster built on European talent like current NCAA goals per game leader Dionne Van Aalsum, whose 23 goals this season are reminiscent of 2023. A key distributor in the offense has been first-year midfielder Felicia Zonnenberg, who ranks 10th in Division I in assists per game.
From seniors to freshmen, multiple players have seen multiple goals, assists, and plenty of playing time all season long, as it was Iowa’s plan to use substitutions to its advantage.
With a stacked roster, Magnotta’s performance in goal stands out. The senior started 55 consecutive games, 237 saves compared to 73 goals allowed. Her save percentage this season ranks 29th in Division I. The Hawkeyes are well-prepared on the defensive end with Magnotta in goal.
The Hawkeyes boast a talented offensive roster and program-excelling goalkeeper who has witnessed the high and lows recent years. Head coach Lisa Cellucci’s squad improved the fundamentals and focused on exploiting goal-scoring opportunities.
There’s reason to believe this season is a comeback year for the Hawkeyes, a redemption from 2024’s disappointment. Expect at the very least a run to the Sweet 16, perhaps even the Elite Eight.
