Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Head to Iowa for Showdown with Iowa
10/6/2006 12:00:00β―AM | Field Hockey
Oct. 6, 2006
EVANSTON, Ill. -- After coming off their first conference win of the season, the Wildcats (6-6, 1-1) head to Iowa City Sunday for a 1 p.m. contest against the Hawkeyes. This is the first of two matchups against Iowa this season, but Sunday's match will be counted as a conference game.
"We have had a productive week of practice preparing for Iowa," Head Coach Kelly McCollum said. "I am excited to see our group continue to improve and take steps."
Last time out...
The third time ended up being the charm for the 'Cats Saturday afternoon as Northwestern converted on its third penalty corner with no time remaining in overtime to defeat Michigan State, 3-2. Sophomore Jill Putnam (Greenfield, Mass./Greenfield) tallied two of NU's three goals, including the game-winner.
Junior Katie Charles (Worthington, Ohio/Worthington) opened the scoring for the 'Cats immediately, taking a deflected save and pushing it past MSU's goalie just over three minutes into the contest.
Northwestern's intensity continued and four minutes later, the 'Cats struck again. Charles assisted Putnam off a direct corner to give NU a 2-0 advantage early.
Michigan State found the back of the cage 20 minutes into the match when Floor Rijpma attacked from center and slipped the ball past Emily Kyle (San Francisco, Calif./San Francisco University H.S.).
With Northwestern leading 2-1, the match was postponed with 11:36 remaining in the first half due to inclement weather. After an hour pause, the two teams resumed play but neither team scored before halftime.
With ten minutes remaining in the second half, the Spartans' Becky Manning evened the score at two.
Michigan State had an intense series of four-consecutive penalty corners with seven minutes remaining, but Kyle held strong in the cage, keeping the Spartans at bay.
With the score deadlocked, the match headed into overtime--a familiar place for the 'Cats as three matches this season have seen extra sessions. MSU had the first opportunity to score, earning a corner just into overtime but Northwestern's defense stifled the Spartan attack.
Northwestern was awarded a penalty corner at the end of overtime, which yielded another corner because of a foul in the circle. Another corner. Another foul. Finally, on the third attempt, Charles found Putnam who shot a waist-high ball from the left side for the match-winner.
Kyle recorded 12 saves in 80 minutes.
Scouting the Hawkeyes
Iowa enters Sunday's showdown with a 5-7, 0-3 record, having lost to Michigan, Ohio State and Indiana in Big Ten action so far. The only common opponents the Hawkeyes have with Northwestern are Big Ten foes. Offensively, Iowa is led by Kara Zappone and Caitlin McCurdy, who have each contributed six goals this season. Kadi Sickel leads the team in assists with eight. Lissa Munley has started in goal for the Hawks 11 times this season. She is fifth in the conference in saves, averaging 4.09 per game.
The Series with Iowa
The Hawkeyes hold a commanding 42-18-4 all-time series record against the 'Cats. Iowa claimed both meetings last year, but in 2004, the two squads split
