IOWA CITY, Iowa — The 10th-ranked University of Iowa field hockey team fell to No. 1 Northwestern, 3-1, on Friday evening at Grant Field.

“It was the little details that hurt us,” head coach Lisa Cellucci said. “They were able to capitalize in transition, and we weren’t. We needed to find a way to have sustained possession up front, and that’s kind of where it hurt us. Our girls made a great effort defensively, and we knew we had to do that. This game is a chance to build on our skills. The race is still wide open with everybody else, so we’re going to work to continue getting better.”

The Hawkeyes struck first when Dionne van Aalsum netted her 17th goal of the season at the 10:56 mark in the first quarter, assisted by Rachel Herbine and Felicia Zonnenberg.

Northwestern responded shortly after halftime, tying the game 1-1 on a rebounded penalty corner goal by leading scorer Ilse Tromp. The Wildcats added two more goals in the fourth quarter to secure the 3-1 victory.

Notables 

• Van Aalsum is now tied for ninth all-time at Iowa with 54 career goals.
• Goalkeeper Mia Magnotta recorded five saves.

Up Next  

Iowa returns to action Friday, Oct. 10, hosting Maryland at 1 p.m. CT at Grant Field. The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network.

3A District 6

• Atlantic – 49 vs Perry – 7
• Harlan – 56 vs Creston – 35
• Carroll – 35 vs Greene County – 0

4A District 6

• Glenwood 50, Denison-Schleswig 7
• Lewis Central 52, Boone 21
• ADM 42, Thomas Jefferson 7

A District 7 

• Mount Ayr – 32 vs AHSTW – 6
• Southwest Valley – 42 vs Nodaway Valley – 0

A District 8

• IKM-Manning – 27 vs Logan-Magnolia – 13
• West Monona – 28 vs Westwood – 20
• Woodbury Central – 29 vs Akron- Westfield – 6

11-Player Non-District 

• Riverside – 55 vs St. Albert – 26

1A District 8

• Treynor – 56 vs Tri-Center – 28
• Shenendoah – 48 vs Red Oak – 6
• Underwood – 56 vs Missouri Valley – 7

2A District 8

• Grand View Christian – 28 vs Clarinda – 17
• Van Meter – 49 vs Chariton – 16

2A District 2 

• Kuemper Catholic – 41 vs Spirit Lake – 21

8-Player District 9

• Exira-EHK – 56 vs CAM – 52

8-Player District 10

• Fremont-Mills – 57 vs Sidney – 0
• Boyer Valley – 53 vs East Mills – 7

8-Player District 8

• Bedford – 72 vs Murray – 0
• Lenox – 36 vs Southeast Warren – 22
• East Union – 66 vs Murray – 60

8-Player Non-District 

• Woodbine – 70 vs Coon-Rapids Bayard – 6

The 2-3 Exira-EHK Spartans defeated the CAM Cougars 56-52 in a high scoring battle in Anita Friday night. The Spartans scored on their five touchdowns on their first six drives of the game and turning CAM over three times in the first half gave Exira-EHK a 40-20 lead into halftime. The dazzling offense from the Spartans continued into the second half going ahead by 30 in the fourth quarter. Despite the large deficit, there was no quit in the Cougar offense. CAM slowly worked themselves back into the game in the back half of the quarter highlighted by an onside kick recovery and forcing the only Exira-EHK turnover of the night. Despite the near miraculous comeback from CAM, Exira-EHK escaped with a 56-52 victory to spoil homecoming weekend in Anita.

The game began with a slow and methodical nine play 55-yard drive by Exira-EHK ending with a 22-yard run by Senior Josten Kilworth. It only took one play from the line of scrimmage for CAM to find the end zone for the first time as Junior Kayden Winther dashed into the end zone for a 45-yard score. Both teams failed their first two-point conversion attempt, and it was 6-6 with roughly seven minutes to play in the first quarter.

Exira-EHK’s offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage almost the entire first half creating massive gaps for the Spartan runners to fill. On the second Spartan drive, it was Senior Bryce Brabham finding the end zone from 12 yards out with his legs, but this time Exira-EHK cashed in on the two point try to go ahead 14-6. Moments later, a brilliant, hesitated kickoff return from Winthers put CAM within two points from 50 yards out. Once again, Exira-EHK stopped CAM on the two-point attempt keeping the Spartans on top 14-12.

The Spartans continued the success on the ground as the first half grew older as Senior Allen Olson scored the third Exira-EHK touchdown from five yards out and forcing a CAM fumble a few plays later. At the end of the first quarter, Exira-EHK led 22-12.

In the second quarter, another methodical seven play 65-yard drive for Exira-EHK put the Spartans up 30-12 after a 16-yard touchdown run from Kilsworth. CAM finding themselves in a hole in the first half takes only two plays for Sophomore Quarterback Zach Kauffman to connect with Junior Carson McKee on a 54-yard touchdown catch and run to get the Cougars within ten at 30-20. Deeper in the quarter, CAM’s defense comes up with their first stop of the game, but they were trapped deep in their own territory. Exira-EHK took advantage of the short field for the Cougars by pressuring Kauffman resulting in a safety. With the two-point score, Exira-EHK was awarded the football and scored one more time before the half to go into the locker room ahead 40-20.

In the fourth, Kilworth added onto his great night with an eight-yard touchdown run giving Exira-EHK a 48-20 lead. A quick response from CAM followed as Kauffman linked up with McKee for another touchdown pass from 22 yards out to put the game at 48-26. Exira-EHK’s highly productive offense continued shortly after to give the Spartans a 30-point lead with 7:18 to play. After that, CAM didn’t give up. Winther scored for the third time of the night with a 17-yard touchdown catch from Kauffman. It was desperation time for the Cougars as they attempted an onside kick and recovered it. CAM took advantage of the opportunity and cashed in for a second time in a roughly two-minute span. All of a sudden it was 56-40.

Exira-EHK let CAM sneak back into the game but made just enough plays defensively including two fourth quarter sacks to secure the 56-52 victory.

Head Coach Drew Buckholdt was very pleased with the way his team performed especially in the first half.

Buckholdt believes the trenches defines a game on many occasions.

The diversity of Brabham’s skillset helps this team immensely according to Buckholdt.

Not only was this a big win for the Exira-EHK season but the program.

Next week, Exira-EHK returns home to play Glidden-Ralston while CAM goes on the road to Griswold.

The Atlantic Trojans hit pay-dirt on their first two drives of the night and rolled to a 49-7 homecoming win over Perry on Friday night at the Trojan Bowl. The Trojans ground game was efficient once again led by a three score night from Ethan McNeal.

McNeal opened the scoring on a 20-yard touchdown on Atlantic’s first possession after stopping Perry who went for a fourth and short from their own 33. Atlantic then forced a Perry punt on their second possession. Two plays later McNeal was trotting into the end zone again with a 54-yard run. Atlantic would later add a 38-yard touchdown run from Zander Killion and another score from McNeal from 9 yards out before the half, making it 28-0 at the break.

It only took one play to get the scoring moving again in the second half as Gavin McLaren ripped off a 50-yard touchdown run to begin the half. Killion tip-toed down the sideline from 52-yards out for another Trojan touchdown on their 2nd possession of the half. The running clock really moved the game along. Perry would notch one score on a 31-yard touchdown pass form Ian Fisher to Phillip Gray. The final score of the game came from Atlantic freshman Benny McLaren who zipped in from 15-yards out with 1:55 left in the game.

Atlantic played extremely solid on the defensive side of the ball, limiting Perry tailback Nadir Ouahbi to less than 40 yards on the night. It was a pretty solid overall team effort for Atlantic with a clean night in the kicking game and just one turnover lost.

Atlantic moves to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in Class 3A District 6 play. Next up for the Trojans is a road trip to Jefferson to face Greene County. KJAN will have coverage of that one next Friday night.

Perry falls to 0-6 overall and 0-2 in district play. The Bluejays will travel to Harlan next week.

The 14th ranked Iowa State Cyclones take a 5-0 record to Cincinnati tomorrow. With season ending injuries to corners Jeremiah Cooper and Jontez Williams, Cyclone coach Matt Campbell is concerned about the defense containing Cincinnati dual threat quarterback Brendan Sorsby. The Bearcats are 3-1 and opened Big 12 play with a win at Kansas.

Campbell on what makes Sorsby dangerous.

Campbell says it will be a big challenge for the Cyclones.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – University of Iowa cross country returned to the Joe Piane Invite for the first time since 2023 on Friday morning. Sophomore Elena Torres climbed into the program’s top-10 list in the 5,000 meters with her 16:47.1 finish.

Torres continued her streak of placing as the top Hawkeye, leading the group for the third consecutive meet. The former Big Ten Athlete of the Week from Sept. 10 moved to ninth in program history with her 16:47.1 finish. Torres placed 25th overall.

Fellow sophomore Hillary Trainor scored for the Hawkeyes in the 5,000 meters, recording a time of 17:10.0. Senior Jalyssa Blazek ran a personal-best 17:28.9 and was the third Hawkeye to cross the line. Ella Magallan continued her strong freshman campaign, scoring yet again with a 17:43.9. Junior Audra Soderlind turned in a steady performance and rounded out the scoring for Iowa with a 17:54.7 lifetime best. Overall, the women placed 13th with 363 points.

Rowan Boulter (18:22.5) and Ellie Rathe (18:36.4) set near two-minute personal bests in their 5,000-meter season debuts.

In much better racing conditions than the previous meet, Iowa tallied four personal bests in the men’s 8,000-meter invite. The Hawkeye men were led by Miles Wilson, who finished with a time of 24:01.6 in his season debut. Sophomore Kyle Montgomery had another strong showing, posting a personal record of 24:08.7, which is an over two-minute improvement. Montgomery was the second Hawkeye to cross the line in back-to-back meets, and placed 65th overall.

Three more Hawkeyes scored with personal bests: Luke Knepp (24:17.0), Carson Houg (24:22.9) and Elias Arbuckle (24:27.4). Knepp is a former Big Ten Athlete of the Week from the week of Sept. 24. Houg’s personal best was an over three-second improvement from his 24:26.0 at the Big Ten Championships last year. Arbuckle, a freshman from Grimes, Iowa, continues to contribute to the team. He was the fourth freshman from the Big Ten to complete the course, and was a top-ten finishing freshman in his two prior meets. The trio has scored in all three races this season. The men placed 15th with 352 points.

Sophomore Armaan Chopra (25:17.1) and freshman Owen Wolfe (25:21.8) notched career bests in the open 8,000 meters.

Up Next: The Hawkeyes return to action on Oct. 18 at the Pre-National meet in Columbia, Missouri. Competition begins at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course at 10:00 a.m. (CT).

HAWKEYE RESULTS
Women’s 5,000 Meters Invite
13th – 363 points
25. Elena Torres – 16:47.1, 9th at Iowa
54. Hillary Trainor – 17:10.0
90. Jalyssa Blazek – 17:28.9, PR
114. Ella Magallan – 17:43.9
127. Audra Soderlind – 17:54.7, PR
146. Clare Kelly – 18:18.2, PR
153. Rowan Boulter – 18:22.5, PR
162. Ellie Rathe – 18:36.4, PR
167. Marissa Long – 18:39.3

Men’s 8,000 Meters Invite
15th – 352 points
58. Miles Wilson – 24:01.6
65. Kyle Montgomery – 24:08.7, PR
73. Luke Knepp – 24:17.0, PR
83. Carson Houg – 24:22.9, PR
92. Elias Arbuckle – 24:27.4, PR
121. Hayden Kuhn – 24:55.6
131. Brayden Burnett – 25:21.2

Men’s 8,000 Meters Open
36. Armaan Chopra – 25:17.1, PR
38. Owen Wolfe – 25:21.8, PR

Its homecoming in Atlantic and the Trojan football will be looking to make it three in a row as the Perry Blue Jays come to town. There is a certain pomp and circumstance that comes with homecoming week. Whether it be the crowing of a king and queen, the parade, or any one of the numerous activities throughout the week, it creates memories that last a lifetime. However, for the football team, Coach Joe Brummer says it is all about staying focused on the task at hand.

Perry comes to town still in search of their first win. After suffering losses to Ogden, Boone, Woodward-Granger, and Des Moines North in non-district play, they were shutout in their district opener by Greene County. That being said, that doesn’t mean there is a lack of talent, especially at the running back position where Nadir Ouahbi is averaging 7.1 yards per carry with 4 scores.

In addition to his great numbers in the run game, Ouahbi is also part of a defense that searches out physicality. A physical team themselves, the Trojans will look to execute what has made them successful.

As key pieces continue to emerge for a Trojan team on the rise, Jake Wailes continues to standout. The junior leads the defense with 34.5 tackles and also has five tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. Not only has he produced flying around the field but has emerged as a leading in the room.

Although the Trojans will need to be focused through all the activities that homecoming brings, it also provides motivation.

You can catch all the action on KJANTV with Pregame coverage starting at 6:30 pm. Kickoff from the Trojan Bowl is set for 7 pm.

Hawkeye Ten Conference 

Atlantic – 3 vs Harlan – 0

Red Oak – 3 vs Creston – 0

Western Iowa Conference 

AHSTW – 3 vs Audubon – 2

Riverside – 3 vs Underwood – 0

Tri-Center – 3 vs Missouri Valley – 1

Rolling Valley Conference 

Exira/EHK – 3 vs Glidden-Ralston – 0

Boyer Valley – 3 vs CAM – 2

Coon Rapids-Bayard – 3 vs Paton-Churdan – 0

Corner Conference 

Stanton – 3 vs Essex – 0