Late Northwestern goal spoils Iowa field hockey’s Final Four ambitions

IOWA CITY — First Northwestern spoiled Iowa field hockey’s dreams of an undefeated season.

Then Northwestern spoiled the Hawkeyes’ dreams of a Final Four return, too.

The Wildcats used a last-minute goal Sunday to defeat No. 2 Iowa, 1-0, and advance to the NCAA Tournament semifinals.

“To not advance to the Final Four is really disappointing,” Iowa head coach Lisa Cellucci said.

Northwestern midfielder Lauren Wadas delivered the game-winning goal on a backhanded shot with exactly one minute left.

Iowa goalkeeper Grace McBride had five saves before giving up the game-winning goal.

The Hawkeyes, meanwhile, could not muster any shots on goal until the fourth quarter.

“We had some momentum going forward, but we just couldn’t break through with that final pass or that final skill,” Cellucci said. “We needed to make their goalkeeper play the ball, and we didn’t.”

Iowa finished the 2021 season with a 17-3 record. Two of those losses came to Northwestern, and all three came in the last 17 days of the season. The team’s 16-0 start was the best in the Cellucci era.

“We've accomplished so much this season that we're proud of,” midfielder/defender Esme Gibson said.

Cellucci and her Northwestern counterpart Tracey Fuchs both wish the Iowa-Northwestern matchup was in the Final Four in Ann Arbor, Mich., instead of the regional finals.

“It’s a shame,” Fuchs said. “I so respect Lisa and the program that they have here at Iowa. … I would’ve loved to be going to Michigan with her.”

The teams were both in the top six of the NFHCA Coaches poll for all but one week in the 2021 season. Iowa was No. 3 and Northwestern was No. 7 in the last poll.

“We didn’t say this when it came out because we wanted to display positivity to the team and confidence, but no reason we should be with one of the top-five teams in the country,” Cellucci said. “It’s an unfortunate situation just with the geography and how the NCAA does it — to save costs, to be honest.”

Comments: (319) 398-8394; john.steppe@thegazette.com