EVANSTON, ILLINOIS — The second-ranked Iowa Hawkeye field hockey team kept its perfect start rolling Sunday, using a pair of two-goal performances to knock off No. 14 Louisville, 4-2, at Lakeside Field.
Iowa closed out the Midwest Challenge with another victory over a nationally ranked opponent, just two days after the Hawkeyes rallied in the fourth quarter to beat No. 16 Miami, 2-1.
Fréderique van Cleef and Dionne van Aalsum each scored twice Sunday as Iowa continued an impressive opening stretch that has included victories over several ranked opponents.
“Two hard fought top-20 wins for the Hawks this weekend,” Iowa head coach Lisa Cellucci said. “I am continually impressed with this team’s ability to problem solve together throughout the match. We are excited to get back to Iowa City and start preparing for Big Ten play.”
Van Cleef put Iowa on the board first at the 7:56 mark of the opening quarter, taking an assist from Jordan Byers and finding the net for a 1-0 Hawkeye lead.
Louisville responded at 11:49 when Lauren Masters scored off an assist from Chloe Plumb, sending the teams into the second quarter tied at 1-1.
Iowa quickly regained control.
Van Aalsum scored at 17:08 off an assist from Amber Millard-Smith to give the Hawkeyes a 2-1 advantage.
She struck again early in the third quarter, scoring her second goal at 32:02 after a setup from van Cleef and pushing Iowa’s lead to 3-1.
Louisville refused to go quietly. Plumb scored at 34:49, assisted by Tyler Everslage, to pull the Cardinals within 3-2.
The Hawkeyes delivered the finishing blow in the fourth quarter.
Van Cleef scored her second goal of the afternoon at 48:30 off an assist from Rachel Herbine, giving Iowa a 4-2 cushion that held through the final horn.
The goal was van Cleef’s 10th of the season. She and van Aalsum now share the team lead with 10 goals apiece.
The duo has been tearing apart opposing defenses throughout the young season. Van Cleef recorded a hat trick when Iowa crushed Lehigh 9-0 in its home opener, while van Cleef and van Aalsum both recorded hat tricks when the Hawkeyes hammered Ball State 8-0 two days later.
Iowa controlled much of the offensive action Sunday, outshooting Louisville 14-5.
Goalkeeper Abby Johnson picked up her sixth victory of the season as the Hawkeyes continued their unbeaten run.
Iowa’s early-season résumé also includes a 3-2 victory over then-No. 2 North Carolina during the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
Iowa now turns its attention to Big Ten competition. The Hawkeyes will host Indiana on Friday, September 18, at 5 p.m. in Iowa City. The matchup will be streamed on B1G+