Field Hockey Falls to Iowa in Preseason Scrimmage
August 23, 2014 | Field Hockey
IOWA CITY, Iowa - Shannon Sloss scored twice and Mallory Mason added a goal as the University of Louisville field hockey team fell 4-3 to Iowa in a preseason scrimmage Saturday. As part of the scrimmage format, the teams played two halves followed by an overtime period and then a series of penalty strokes.
"Iowa was a great opponent that gave us a lot of challenges and many lessons were learned," said UofL head coach Justine Sowry. "They caught us on our heels from the first whistle and it took us a long time to get into the game. There were some positives, including giving some freshmen time, getting different combinations going and the fight that we showed throughout. This season is about the process and ensuring that every day we are improving from the previous one. We look toward our next practice to get back to business."
In the first half, the Hawkeyes used a 4-2 edge in shots and a 3-2 advantage in penalty corners to take a 2-1 lead. Natalie Cafone scored an unassisted goal at the 5:45 mark and Mallory Lefkowitz gave Iowa a 2-0 lead before Mallory Mason connected on a penalty stroke to put the Cards on the scoreboard with just over a minute left to play in the first half.
Sophomore Shannon Sloss scored a pair of goals to match two more Hawkeye goals in the second half. Sara Watro gave Iowa a 3-1 in the first minute of the second half but Sloss responded five minutes later to pull the Cards back within a goal. Chandler Ackers converted a penalty stroke for an insurance goal and make the score 4-2. Sloss connected on a feed from freshman Nicole Woods for the 4-3 final in regulation.
The teams entered a sudden-victory overtime period which saw Iowa prevail after an unassisted goal by Stephanie Norlander.
In the best of five penalty stroke series, sophomore Lotta Kahlert put the Cards on the scoreboard, but the Hawkeyes made three of their attempts.
UofL will open the 2014 season against Saint Louis on Aug. 29 at 4 p.m. at Trager Stadium.
