IOWA CITY — No. 5 Iowa Hawkeye field hockey broke open a scoreless game with four second-half goals Friday, September 25, powering past Ohio State 4-1 at Grant Field for its first Big Ten victory of the season.
Fréderique van Cleef delivered two goals to push her season total to a career-high 13, while goalkeeper Julia Claessens recorded four saves in her second start to earn her first collegiate victory.
The offensive surge followed a demanding weekend against Indiana, which included a 3-1 loss that ended Iowa’s unbeaten start and a shootout victory over the Hoosiers in the nonconference rematch.
“I think that’s what we have the ability to do,” Iowa coach Lisa Cellucci said. “We’ve been in a little skid offensively, especially with the way Indiana played us. Ohio State is a really good team, and we still have a lot to fix for Sunday, but I think it gives us a lot of confidence knowing we can.”
Haig breaks through, Hawkeyes pour it on
After neither team scored in the opening half, Iowa needed just 24 seconds of the third quarter to take control of the scoreboard.
Lexie Haig finished an assist from Dionne van Aalsum at the 30:24 mark for her first goal of the season, giving the Hawkeyes a 1-0 advantage.
Iowa then hammered home three goals in a span of 6 minutes, 9 seconds during the fourth quarter.
Reine van Hoof started the burst with an unassisted goal at 45:30. Van Cleef followed at 48:00, scoring unassisted to stretch the lead to 3-0.
She struck again at 51:39, converting a penalty corner off an assist from Tea Fortpied. Her second goal of the afternoon established a new personal best for goals in a season and put Iowa firmly in command, 4-0.
“Fréderique was a game-changer today,” Cellucci said. “Her skill was unbelievable, and her defense was fantastic.”
Ohio State spoiled the shutout at 53:44 when Katie Fichtner scored off an assist from Carmela Maro, but the Buckeyes could not undo Iowa’s second-half damage.
Ohio State rematch set for Sunday
The Hawkeyes will face the Buckeyes again Sunday, September 27, at noon Central at Grant Field.
Sunday’s matchup is a nonconference contest and will stream on B1G+.