IOWA CITY — The 11th-ranked Iowa field hockey team opened its season with a dramatic comeback Friday, erasing a three-goal deficit before knocking off No. 7 Wake Forest, 4-3, in sudden-victory overtime.
First-year Hawkeye Reine van Hoof delivered the game-winner at the 66:46 mark, scoring her first collegiate goal to complete Iowa’s stunning rally.
“What an unbelievable comeback,” Iowa head coach Lisa Cellucci said. “Very gritty performance by the Hawks. We had an unfortunate first two quarters and this team showed what they’re capable of when we play together, stick to the plan, we problem solve, and have great energy and communication.”
Wake Forest controlled the early portion of the game.
Ava Moore converted a penalty stroke at the 4:40 mark to give the Demon Deacons a 1-0 advantage. Bianca Rees-Gibbs extended the lead with her first career goal at 12:39.
Wake Forest made it 3-0 during the second quarter when Rory Heslin scored at 21:52 off an assist from Sela Provenzano.
The Hawkeyes finally broke through late in the third quarter.
Fréderique van Cleef scored at 42:35 to put Iowa on the board before Dionne van Aalsum struck just over two minutes later, scoring at 44:50 off an assist from Lieve van Kessel.
The rapid-fire goals pulled Iowa within 3-2 heading into the final quarter.
First-year Hawkeye Meg Tebben then supplied the equalizer at 51:34, recording the first collegiate goal of her career and forcing overtime.
Van Hoof finished the comeback in the extra period, giving Iowa a season-opening victory over another nationally ranked opponent.
The victory continued Iowa’s recent dominance over Wake Forest. The Hawkeyes have now defeated the Demon Deacons seven consecutive years in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and have won 13 of the last 14 meetings between the programs.
Iowa has also won nine consecutive season openers.
First-year players Amber Millard-Smith, Tebben and Myra Van De Kop made their collegiate debuts in the victory, while graduate student Emily Edwards also made her Hawkeye debut.
The Hawkeyes face another major challenge Sunday when they take on second-ranked North Carolina at 10 a.m. Central time in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
The game will be streamed on ACCNX/ESPN+.