WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The 11th-ranked Iowa field hockey team knocked off No. 2 North Carolina, 3-2, on Sunday, completing a perfect weekend against two of the nation’s top-seven programs at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
The victory came two days after the Hawkeyes erased a three-goal deficit and stunned No. 7 Wake Forest in overtime.
North Carolina controlled much of the statistical battle Sunday, outshooting Iowa 25-10 and holding a 7-2 advantage in penalty corners. The Hawkeyes, however, made their limited opportunities count and leaned on goalkeeper Abby Johnson and a determined second-half defense to preserve the upset.
Johnson recorded a season-high nine saves, finishing three short of her career best.
“Once we buckled down and played collective team defense, we found great momentum and each line really stepped up,” Iowa head coach Lisa Cellucci said.
Cellucci called Iowa’s second-half performance unbelievable and said returning from the challenging weekend with two victories demonstrated the team’s tremendous potential.
The Tar Heels struck first when Sofia Ferri scored at the 10:44 mark of the opening quarter.
Iowa answered just 38 seconds into the second quarter. Amber Millard-Smith found Dionne van Aalsum, who put away her second goal of the season and tied the match at 1-1.
The goal was the 67th of van Aalsum’s Iowa career, leaving her one shy of moving into a tie for sixth place on the program’s career goals list.
North Carolina quickly reclaimed the advantage. Molly Catchpole scored at the 16:50 mark following an assist from Charly Bruder, sending the Tar Heels into halftime with a 2-1 lead.
The Hawkeyes reversed the match during a decisive three-minute stretch early in the third quarter.
Fréderique van Cleef tied the score at 2-2 at the 32:23 mark, converting an opportunity created by Emily Edwards. It was van Cleef’s second goal of the season.
Iowa surged ahead at the 35:26 mark when Rachel Herbine scored her first goal of the season off an assist from Lexie Haig.
Herbine’s goal stood as the game-winner as Iowa’s defense kept the powerful North Carolina attack off the scoreboard for the remainder of the match.
The Hawkeyes defeated North Carolina for the first time since 2023. Sunday’s victory was also Iowa’s first over an opponent ranked among the nation’s top two since the Hawkeyes defeated then-No. 1 North Carolina, 3-2, in overtime during the 2023 season.
Iowa leaves Winston-Salem with victories over the country’s No. 7 and No. 2 teams and a 2-0 record to begin the season.
The Hawkeyes will return to Iowa City for their home opener against Lehigh at 3 p.m. Friday. The match will be streamed on B1G+.