Michigan State University
Michigan - Big Ten Tournament
Field Hockey Wins First Big Ten Tournament Title
11/10/2002 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
The Spartans, who are now 21-2 on the season, became the first women's team in school history to win a tournament title. With 11 straight victories, the Spartans are currently in the midst of the longest winning streak in program history.
As any game between these two teams, the game was a physical, defensive game. Much of the game was a battle for ball control and shot attempts. Junior co-captain Alexandra Kyser (Columbus, Ohio) was instrumental on defense in the opening period, making a key block early in the first half to block a Michigan shot. Kyser followed it up several minutes later with a block on the Wolverines' first penalty corner attempt and also stole away two UM balls. Freshman Jessica Miller (Carlsbad, Calif.) also got in on thedefensive action, taking away two Michigan shots and diving to block a third.
Michigan State opened the scoring with 10 minutes left in the opeing half, as Annebet Beerman (Maarssen, Netherlands) smacked in a penalty corner goal from Jenny Sanders (Vancouver, British Columbia) and Julia Adams (Vancouver, British Columbia). Beerman's direct shot up the middle was her team-leading 19th of the season and fourth of the tournament.
The second half opened the way the first half concluded, with strong defensive action on both sides.
Freshman Michelle Huynh-Ba (Hockessin, Del.) added to Spartans' lead in the 42nd minute, as Cynthia Martin (Vancouver, British Coumbia) passed the ball in front of the net. Huynh-Ba snuck it in behind Michigan's Molly Powers for her 13th goal of the season. The Spartans had a player advantage on the goal due to a yellow card foul on Michigan's Jessica Rose.
With 15:28 left, Beerman drilled in another penalty corner goal, sailing it over UM goalkeeper Molly Maloney's pads and giving the Spartans a three goal lead with 15 minutes remaining in the match. MSU netminder Christina Kirkaldy (Afton, N.Y.) stood strong between the pipes for the Spartans, while Kyser continued to prove her defensive worth.
The Spartans, who defeated the Wolverines for the first time since 1997, will have to wait until Tuesday, Nov. 12, to see where they will continue their season. The NCAA Tournament begins on Saturday, Nov. 16 at a to-be-determined site.
Scoring Summary
1 2 FinalMSU 1 2 3MICH 0 0 0
Team Goal (Assist) Period TimeMSU Annebet Beerman (Jenny Sanders, Julia Adams) 1 24:10MSU Michelle Huynh-Ba (Cynthia Martin) 2 41:05MSU Annebet Beerman (Jenny Sanders, Julia Adams) 2 54:32
