A well-kept secret in Iowa City is the legendary history of the Iowa Hawkeyes field hockey team, the winningest program in Big Ten history. While casual fans might have noticed last year’s NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 run, that postseason appearance was simply par for the course for this powerhouse. Combine their sustained dominance with an Iowa women’s soccer program that has undergone a historic surge over the last three seasons under new leadership, and it becomes clear: it is time to get the word
out and support these elite student athletes.
It is totally understandable if these teams have flown under your radar so far. Both are fall sports that constantly have to compete with Iowa football for your valuable time and attention. However, a football bye week provides the perfect opportunity to shift your focus to these fabulous programs. Let’s dig into where both teams stand mid-way through Big Ten conference play!
Iowa Field Hockey: A National Powerhouse Surging in 2026
Field Hockey Head Coach Lisa Cellucci, now in her 13th season as head coach and her 27th overall season on the Iowa coaching staff, has restored the team back to an elite, consistent standard following a brief tournament drought in the mid-2010s. Under Cellucci’s guidance, the Hawkeyes have consistently ranked in the national top 10 to top 15 of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) poll for multiple consecutive seasons, maintaining a dominant presence at Grant Field and within the Big Ten.
Building on a stellar 2025–26 campaign where Iowa finished with a 14–6 overall record (5–3 in Big Ten play) and a trip to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16, the 2026 squad is reaching its critical mid-season climax. Having completed five of their eight scheduled Big Ten matchups, the Hawkeyes boast a phenomenal 11–2 overall record (3–2 B1G). They currently sit at No. 6 in the national rankings, proving their elite tier status after a fiercely contested, tight loss on the road against No. 1 ranked Northwestern.
High-Powered Offense Meets New Defensive Anchors
The blueprint for Iowa field hockey’s success this year leans heavily on an explosive, high-volume offense averaging over 16 shots and more than 3.5 goals per game, perfectly balanced by a resilient backline:
- The Scoring Weapon: Fifth year forward Fréderique van Cleef (Asten, Netherlands) leads the attack. Ranking near the absolute top of the nation in goals and points per game, van Cleef has already tallied a blistering 16-plus goals through the team’s first 12 games.
- The Defensive Catalyst: Sophomore sensation Jordan Byers anchors the transition game. Already named to the Big Ten Players to Watch List and the prestigious NFHCA National Watch List, Byers plays with a veteran composure that stabilizes the defense.
- The Phenom in the Cage: True freshman goalkeeper Julia Claessens (‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands) has taken over the starting role. Since earning her first career start on September 20 against Indiana, Claessens has started five consecutive games and earned back-to-back Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors (September 28 and October 5).
The B1G Home Stretch and Postseason Road
Following a brief break in scheduled play, the Hawkeyes return to Iowa City for an important home weekend before a brutal regular-season finale on the road:
- Friday, October 23: vs. Rutgers at 3:00 PM CT (Grant Field)
- Sunday, October 25: vs. Penn State at 12:00 PM CT (Grant Field)
- Friday, October 30: at No. 10 Maryland (Regular-season finale with massive NCAA Tournament seeding implications)
Following the regular-season stretch, the single-elimination Big Ten Tournament is scheduled to begin on November 5, hosted by Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio.
Iowa Women’s Soccer: Navigating a New Era Amid a Historic Surge
The Iowa Hawkeyes women’s soccer program has undergone a historic transformation over the last three seasons, establishing itself as a consistent national threat by qualifying for the NCAA Tournament in three consecutive years (2023, 2024, and 2025).
- 2023 Campaign: The Hawkeyes captured the Big Ten Tournament championship banner, hosted their first-ever NCAA Tournament home match in Iowa City, and advanced to the Round of 32.
- 2024 Record Book Rewrite: Iowa reached its absolute programmatic peak, earning a No. 3 seed in the national bracket, hosting another postseason game, and marching to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in school history.
- 2025 Standard: The team maintained its elite posture, qualifying as a No. 5 tournament seed and reaching the Round of 32.
A Philosophy Shift Under Dean Ward
Following the 2025 season, long-time head coach Dave Dilanni departed Iowa for the vacancy at Michigan. Director of Athletics Beth Goetz made a splash by hiring Dean Ward away from Xavier University, where he had compiled an impressive 31–9–6 record over two seasons
Ward immediately ushered a breath of fresh air into the Iowa Soccer Complex, implementing a collaborative, fluid, and aggressive attacking philosophy. This marked a distinct strategic pivot from the rigid, heavy defensive posture that defined much of DiIanni’s tenure.
Core Playmakers & A Phenom in Net
The roster has bought into Ward’s tactical freedom, anchored by marquee contributors across every level of the pitch:
- The Attacking Catalysts: Third year forward Berit Parten serves as the dynamic focal point of the front line, using her explosive scoring instincts to change games. She is complemented beautifully by fourth-year midfielder Sofia Bush, who handles distribution and dictates transition play through the center of the park.
- The Defensive Anchors: Veteran fourth-year defenders Millie Greer and Lucia Englund provide the backline with elite physical toughness and veteran communication.
- The High School Reclass: In the cage, true freshman goalkeeper Braelynn Galt has been a revelation. Galt reclassified from the high school class of 2027 to join the program a year early. Despite playing at the age of a high school senior, she won a wide-open preseason battle and has played like a seasoned upperclassman, establishing herself in the upper tier of Big Ten statistical goalies.
The Home Stretch of the 2026 Soccer Campaign
The Hawkeyes currently sit at a 6–4–5 record as they push through a highly competitive Big Ten slate. With only four regular-season matches remaining, Iowa returns to Iowa City for a crucial three-game home stand to close out October:
- Thursday, October 22: vs. UCLA at 7:00 PM CT (Iowa Soccer Complex)
- Sunday, October 25: vs. USC at 1:00 PM CT (Iowa Soccer Complex)
- Friday, October 30: vs. Wisconsin at 7:00 PM CT (Regular-season finale)
The Ultimate Hawkeye Double-Header Weekend
Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 25, because Iowa City sports fans have a rare, elite double-header opportunity right in their backyard. The No. 6 ranked field hockey team takes the pitch at 12:00 PM CT against Penn State, while the women’s soccer team kicks off at 1:00 PM CT against USC.
- Maximum Convenience: Grant Field and the Iowa Soccer Complex are adjacent to one another. Their main gates face the same concourse, and they share the same parking lot, meaning you can effortlessly slide between both matches without ever moving your car.
- Free Admission: There is zero admission charge for either home match, making it the most affordable, family-friendly sporting event in town.
- Elite Entertainment: Both programs have embraced a high-octane, attacking offensive philosophy this year, guaranteeing an entertaining fall Sunday afternoon.
There is no better time to head down to the complex, pack the stands, and loudly support these incredible student athletes as they honor their seniors and make their final regular season push toward the postseason. Get out and support your Hawkeyes!
