IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa field hockey freshman Dionne van Aalsum has been named the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Offensive Player of the Week after recording five goals and four assists in a pair of wins last weekend. She has tallied multi-goal games in every game of her collegiate career. The announcement was made Wednesday by the organization.

It is the second week in a row the Castricum, Netherlands, native has been awarded a NFHCA honor and the third time for the Hawkeyes this season. Redshirt sophomore Mia Magnotta was named Defensive Player of the Week on August 30.

Van Aalsum leads the nation with 21 goals, 46 points, 2.62 goals per game, and 5.75 points per game. The freshman recorded her third consecutive hat trick and an assist against Vermont and scored two goals with three assists in the Hawkeye’s win over Merrimack.

No. 1 Iowa leads the nation in winning percentage (1.000), shutouts (6), shutouts per game (.75), scoring margin (4.50), scoring average (4.88), goals (39), goals per game (4.88), goals allowed (3), goals against average (0.38), points per game (13.38), and assists (29). The Hawkeyes rank second in assists per game (3.62).

The No. 1 Hawkeyes (8-0) travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan to open Big Ten play against No. 8 Michigan (5-3) at 5 p.m. on Friday. The game will be streamed on B1G+.

AMES, Iowa – Today’s softball matchup against DMACC has been postponed, Head Coach Jamie Pinkerton announced Wednesday morning. The announcement comes after the city of Ames saw its most rainfall since early July and the field hasn’t had time to properly drain.

The Cyclones will reschedule the game with DMACC for a different date this fall.

Stay tuned to cyclones.com and the Iowa State Softball social media channels for updates regarding a new date.

Penn State coach James Franklin says Saturday’s game against Iowa will be determined by what happens on the field and not the crowd. The seventh ranked Nittany Lions host the 24th ranked Hawkeyes in their annual “White Out” game.

Franklin says execution will be the key.

Franklin says the Nittany Lion offense would like to create more big plays but that is not easy against Big Ten defenses.

He says while the players change at Iowa the identity does not.

CHICAGO – The University of Iowa men’s golf concluded play at the Highlands Invitational on Tuesday. Iowa placed 14th, finishing with an 877 (289-290-298) at Chicago Highlands Club.

Freshmen Noah Kent and Max Tjoa were Iowa’s low finishers. Kent and Tjoa tied for 30th place with 54-hole scores of 217 (+1). Kent had 12 birdies on the week and finished with the fourth-best par five average in the field at 4.25.  

Fifth-year senior Mac McClear was the next lowest finisher at 220 (+4) for the tournament.  Behind McClear in the standings was Callum Macfie, who closed out play strong with three birdies on the back nine to finish even in Round 3.  

Iowa’s 4.67 stroke average on par fives was fourth in the tournament.  

Virginia and Wake Forest tied for first place with a score of 833, while Michael Brennan of Wake Forest was the individual medalist at 204.  

IOWA SCORECARD  

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH TYLER STITH 

“We didn’t compete at the level we expected to coming into the tournament. Noah and Max showed their potential with a few good rounds. As a team we need to find more consistency day in and day out. We made plenty of birdies this week, but we were at the bottom of the field in pars. It boils down to doing the simple things much better.”

HAWKEYE NOTABLES  

• Kent’s 4.25 stroke average on par fives was fourth overall in the tournament. Kent shot nine-under on par fives this week.  

THIS WEEK

University of Iowa women’s soccer travels to Madison, Wisconsin, on Thursday to take on the Badgers at the McClimon Track and Soccer Complex. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (CT). The Hawkeyes host Minnesota on Sunday at 1 p.m. (CT) for the Go Green for Mental Health Game at the Iowa Soccer Complex.

WATCH/FOLLOW LIVE

• Both matches will stream on B1G+ (subscription required).
• Links to streaming and live stats can be found at hawkeyesports.com/soccergameday.
• Fans can follow the Iowa soccer program on Twitter (@HawkeyeSoccer) for live in-game updates.

SCOUTING THE BADGERS

• Wisconsin has posted a 5-1-3 record against a strength of schedule that ranks 20th nationally. The Badgers tied at No. 1 UNC in a scoreless draw on Aug. 24 and downed LSU, 3-0, on Aug. 31. Wisconsin’s lone loss came at the hands of No. 16 Duke. Wisconsin opened Big Ten play with a tie at Nebraska.
• The Badgers are led offensively by veterans Emma Jaskaniec and Aryssa Mahrt, who have both put up nine points through nine games. Jaskaniec and Mahrt have each registered three goals and three assists. Goalkeeper Erin McKinney has a 0.67 goals against average and .838 save percentage this year.
• The Badgers have forced five shutouts this season and allowed six goals.

SERIES HISTORY – WISCONSIN

The Hawkeyes trail 6-16-5 in the all-time series against Wisconsin. The Badgers took last season’s meeting, 3-1, at the Iowa Soccer Complex. Iowa downed Wisconsin, 1-0, in the Big Ten Tournament Championship Game on April 18, 2020. Jenny Cape ‘22 scored in the golden goal in the 64th minute to bring home Iowa’s first Big Ten Championship.

SCOUTING THE GOLDEN GOPHERS

• Minnesota is 4-2-2 overall with a draw at No. 22 Georgia and loss at No. 19 Michigan. The Gophers average two goals per game heading into the week, with 16 goals through eight contests.
• Minnesota has allowed just three goals this season, which ranks third in the Big Ten Conference behind Iowa and Penn State with two goals allowed each.
• Sophia Boman’s 12 points (5 goals, 2 assists) leads the Gophers on offense. Kate Childers has a team-high three assists.
• Veteran goalkeeper Megan Plaschko has 20 saves (.870) at a 0.38 goals against average.

SERIES HISTORY – MINNESOTA

Iowa trails the all-time series 7-15-4. Minnesota defeated Iowa, 1-0, at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium last season. The Hawkeyes lead 3-2-0 in the last five games against the Gophers, dating back to 2019.

GO GREEN FOR MENTAL HEALTH GAME

Fans are encouraged to wear green on Sunday to promote mental health awareness. Green bandanas will be given to fans in support of the Green Bandana Project. When a student carries a green bandana on campus, it indicates that they have relevant mental health resources and are able to provide help.