Wake Forest University
Iowa
Field Hockey Holds Off Iowa In Season Opener
8/26/2017 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
By Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeHockey)
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The No. 15 Wake Forest field hockey team used an early second half goal to earn a hard-fought win over No. 17 Iowa in its season opener on Saturday afternoon in Iowa City.
After jumping out to an early two-goal lead in the first half, the Deacs (1-0) surrendered two goals late in the half to allow Iowa to tie the score. Junior Jule Grashoff answered early in the second half, as she earned a penalty stroke and netted her second goal of the game, which proved to be the difference.
Grashoff, who finished second on the team with 16 goals last season, delivered two goals and led the team with six shot attempts. In goal for the Deacs, Cat O'Connor delivered three saves, including one in the final minutes that sealed the win for Wake Forest.
The Deacs wasted no time in jumping on the Hawkeyes (0-1) early in the first half. In just the sixth minute, Emily Adamson put Wake Forest on the board, when she drove the middle of the field and scored the team's first goal of 2017. Then, just over a minute and a half later, Grashoff found the back of the net to give the Deacs a two-goal cushion in the early minutes. However, the Hawkeyes quickly answered back with two goals to tie the score at the half. Both of Iowa's goals came from Katie Birch when the Hawkeyes drew penalty corners.
Wake Forest reclaimed the momentum early in the second half, as Grashoff's 45th minute penalty stroke gave the Demon Deacons a lead they did not relinquish.
Overall, the Deacs controlled play most of the way, holding an 11-9 advantage in shot attempts. They also held a 6-5 lead in corners.
Up next, the Deacs will take on Michigan tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. The No. 11 Wolverines defeated No. 1 North Carolina, 4-2, early Saturday afternoon.
