Iowa Field Hockey Preview: Attacking Half

The Iowa Field Hockey team was a force to be reckoned with from a goal scoring perspective over the first half of last season. Freshman forward Dionne van Aalsum exploded for 21 of the Hawkeyes 41 goals over the first nine games, propelling the team to a 9-0 record with victories against #1 North Carolina, #12 Wake Forest, and #14 Michigan.

Injuries to starters impacted the team for sure, but for the second consecutive season, the Hawkeyes found it challenging to maintain their scoring momentum in the latter half of the year. They managed just 18 goals in the final ten games, which was propped up by a seven-goal outburst on Senior Day against #3 Rutgers. The offense that was so good early in the year scored less than two goals in four of their final five games.

The good news for head coach Lisa Cellucci is that the top four goalscorers from last season return. That being said, a young group of midfielders will shoulder the responsibility of turning defense into offense and helping create scoring opportunities.

“If you have goal scoring and goalkeeping you’re in contention, and that’s what we have this year with this group. We have a great goalkeeper and we have a great goalscorer,” said Cellucci.

Forwards

Projected Starters: Soph Dionne van Aalsum, Soph Miranda Jackson, Sr Annika Herbine

Bench: 5thYr Alex Wesneski, Sr Hillary Cox, Soph Tess Reed, Fr Emily Kate Covert, Fr Hannah Maney

It didn’t take long for everyone to learn the name Dionne van Aalsum. Like many international recruits, not many people knew what to expect from van Aalsum as a freshman from The Netherlands last season.

She burst onto the scene putting up a nation-leading 28 goals and six assists, including ten multi-goal games. Dionne was named NFHCA Offensive Player of the Year, Big Ten Freshman of the Year and earned First Team All-American honors.

“Nobody knew about her last year until we got a little bit into the middle of the season. She’s absolutely going to be a marked woman (this year),” said Cellucci. “I think what that will do is open up a lot of different things for our team, but we expect her to make an impact and to score goals just like she did before.”

Her status for the first couple of the games remains uncertain, as she had what Lisa Cellucci called a ‘precautionary procedure’ a few weeks ago. The coaching staff is hoping that she will be available for the season opener on Friday against Wake Forest.

As good as van Aaslum was as a true freshman, defenses are going to be focused on stopping her this season, which means that players around her are going to be asked to step up and score goals. One of those players could be sophomore Miranda Jackson . As a freshman last season, Jackson appeared in all 19 games with 16 starts, logging 730 minutes, as well as five goals and four assists. In the Hawkeyes home exhibition against St Louis, Miranda looked impressive on the offensive end, which has Lisa Cellucci hoping she can be an even bigger threat to score goals this year.

“Through the course of the season last year she grew such much, and I think it was so impactful for her to get the experience that she did and to play alongside Dionne and Annika Herbine. She just has a lethal backhand, so she can score in a lot of different ways with such a quick release. We’re really looking for her to add another scoring punch.”

Another player to keep an eye on in the goal scoring department is senior Annika Herbine . One of the veterans on a young team, Herbine has appeared in 59 career games, with 35 starts, totaling 14 goals and 20 assists. With the ball on her stick, she is one of, if not, the most skilled player on the team. As a sophomore in 2023, Annika finished with eight goals and seven assists. That is the type of season the coaching staff is looking for to compliment the play of Dionne van Aalsum.

“Annika, in years past, has been a go to player for us and she constantly is now just with her elimination skills (in the circle) and her 3D (stick/ball) skills.”

Coming off the bench, the Hawkeyes have some experience with fifth-year senior Alex Wesneski and senior Hillary Cox . Wesneski could see time as a forward and a defender this season due to injuries on the back end, but she has a knack for scoring, with 21 career goals. An excellent penalty shot taker, Cox is called on in specific situations and scored three goals last season.

Attacking Midfielders

Projected Starters: Soph Rachel Herbine, Soph Lieve van Kessel

Bench: Sr Jacey Wittel

The attacking midfield will be led by a pair of sophomores that saw significant time as freshman last season. Dutch midfielder Lieve van Kessel started six of the first seven games last season, notching two goals, including the overtime game winner against #1 UNC. She suffered a torn ACL against Vermont and missed the rest of the season, but is back and healthy for her sophomore season.

“She was a little hidden gem for us last year. I think a lot of people forgot about her out there on the left mid and she made so many different plays happen,” said Cellucci. “Her rehab was fantastic. She’s really fit right now, and every play, every practice, she’s a little bit more confident.”

“She’s very speedy, and I think having someone who has a lot of speed is going to be very beneficial for us,” said midfielder Gia Whalen. “We’re really excited. She’s done great during the preseason.”

The projected starter beside van Kessel is second-year midfielder Rachel Herbine . A forward in high school, Herbine has the ability to play on the front line and as an attacking midfielder. She appeared in all 19 games with four starts, totaling 531 minutes and a pair of goals in the Hawkeyes non-conference win over Merrimack.

Lisa Cellucci does have some experience off the bench, with senior Jacey Wittel . Wittel has appeared in 47 games with 21 starts over three seasons, including one goal and four assists. Last season, Jacey totaled 557 minutes and finished with two assists.

Final Thought

As important as the defense will be for the Hawkeyes success, they have to be a threat to score goals and that was the issue during Big Ten play last season. Having Dionne van Aalsum back is certainly a big boost, but as we saw last season, there has to be more than just her pushing the attack against good competition. Players like Miranda Jackson and Annika Herbine, as well as Lieve van Kessel and Rachel Herbine in the midfield will be relied on to make plays. If Iowa struggles to score goals, it could be a tough season.

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