IOWA CITY, Ia. - The NCAA Tournament First Round upset was in sight for the #15 American University field hockey team as they battled with #3 Iowa on Friday, but a couple of late goals from the Hawkeyes ended the Eagles' thrilling season, 3-2.
NOTEWORTHY
- Junior Julia Kraft and sophomore Imogen Hatton highlighted the stats sheet with a goal each while sophomore Emily Horace pitched in an assist.
- Sophomore goalkeeper Bryn Underwood picked up five saves on the day.
- Iowa topped AU on the scoresheet in shots, 12-3, and corners, 4-1.
- The Hawkeyes were led by a two-goal effort from Ciara Smith. Lokke Stribos added one while Ellie Holley and Maddy Murphy were credited with two assists each. Goalkeeper Grace McGuire had one save.
- Both teams battled the elements throughout the match with snow and sleet throughout and gusts up to 25 mph.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Eagles' backline was put to the test early as Iowa pressed from the opening whistle. The Hawkeyes put up four shots in the opening quarter but a couple of saves from Underwood and a well-organized defensive effort from AU kept them off the board.
- The second quarter was a similar story until the final four minutes when Iowa managed to find the back of the cage off their second corner of the day.
- The Eagles came out swinging in the second half, though. Sophomore Emily Horace sent in a ball across goal, and found junior Julia Kraft off the shoulder of Iowa goalkeeper to even the score at 1-1 midway through the stanza.
- With just over one minute left in the third Imogen Hatton ran in for her fourth goal of the season to give AU a 2-1 lead heading into the final 15 minutes.
- Iowa quickly evened the score in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter with a deflected shot into the lower corner of the cage.
- It was a back-and-forth battle over the next three minutes until Iowa regained the one-goal lead after a long cross in front of the cage.
- American continued to press in the final 10 minutes, but couldn't quite get a clean look at goal.
For the latest on American University Field Hockey, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_FieldHockey) and Instagram (@aufieldhockey).