Season Outlook
The Iowa Hawkeyes are set to begin the 2026 field hockey season with a pair of high‑profile matches in Winston‑Salem, North Carolina, where they will meet Wake Forest and the University of North Carolina. The team entered the preseason rankings at No. 11 in the Penn Monto/NFHCA poll, setting the stage for a competitive year.
Big Ten Players to Watch
Three Hawkeyes earned spots on the Big Ten Players to Watch List for 2026, reflecting the program’s depth and recent success. The selections include Frèderique van Cleef, Dionne van Aalsum and Jordan Byers, each of whom contributed significantly to the 2025 campaign.
Van Aalsum continues to rewrite the record books. She sits atop the NCAA active leaders with 64 career goals in 56 appearances and topped the nation with 28 goals as a freshman, repeating the feat in 2025 while averaging 1.40 goals per game. Her performances earned two Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week awards and a string of conference and regional honors, culminating in first‑team All‑Big Ten, NFHCA All‑West Region and NFHCA All‑America selections.
Supporting Cast
Frèderique van Cleef appeared in every game last season, starting 19 and finishing second on the team with 12 goals and 29 points. She also recorded four game‑winning goals and ranked 46th nationally in goals per game and 48th in points per game, underscoring her clutch impact.
Jordan Byers, though more modest in scoring, still made his mark with a goal and four assists for six points, adding depth to the midfield and contributing to the team’s overall offensive balance.
Coach Beth Storck and the support staff have emphasized maintaining the momentum from a strong 2025 finish, focusing on defensive stability and capitalizing on the experience of their returning stars. With a challenging schedule ahead, the Hawkeyes hope to translate individual accolades into team success.