Final Four Press Conference
11/21/2002 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Nov. 21, 2002
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Michigan State field hockey head coach Michele Madison spoke with several reporters at the NCAA Final Four pre-tournament press conference on Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Cardinal Park Sports Complex in Louisville, Ky., to preview the upcoming tournament.
The 2002 NCAA Field Hockey Final Four begins tomorrow (Nov. 22) at 5 p.m., when top-seed Old Dominion takes on Penn State at Trager Stadium on the campus of the University of Louisville. The No. 3 Spartans will match-up with second-seed Wake Forest at 7:30 p.m., for the right to advance to the championship game on Sunday, Nov. 24, at 2 p.m.
Michigan State Head Coach Michele Madison
On scouting Wake Forest...
"Wake is a great team and they have a lot of good players that I am familiar with from the national programs. We played them last year - in fact, this is the first time we hadn't played them (in the regular season) in three years, so I know the style. I know that they are a very attacking team. They're aggressive and have great control of the ball, quick release and transfer. They are a total package, that's for sure."
On playing in two very close games last week...
"I think if I had to choose between an easy road and a tough road, it's better to have a tough road. It keeps the kids honest and it keeps them focused on what they need to do to get their game back - that's what they think. They've been 'we have to get our game back', when I thought they played well. They were opportunistic under difficult conditions."
On the team's attitude...
"They're singing right now, so if we can keep them singing then it's a good thing. They seem okay with it right now. We haven't really built it up really big and told them how it's going to be. We're letting them experience it just one minute at a time and see how it goes. Tomorrow will be a challenge for them to be able to turn it on and turn it off."
On being the first women's team at MSU to play in a Final Four...
"We just play everything down. It's all happening so fast, we don't really have time to be that way. We just look at is as what's next, what's next, what's next. But then, we've tried to do that all the way along. It's not just something you can start doing now. All season it's been 'one more time, here we go again, one more time.' We try to keep it in little steps instead of big steps and I think when it's all over then they'll realize 'wow, we went to the Final Four'."
On the tournament's opening game against Harvard...
"Harvard was difficult. We had a lot of control in the first half, but then they came out in the second with no fear and played with a reckless abandon. They got on top of us and that took the team by surprise, because they didn't start the game that way. It was difficult to break that momentum. We had one of our essential players out and that was difficult for them to get used to playing without her. But it was good to see them get through that. You only grow from things like that.
On the game against Northeastern...
"With Northeastern, we knew it was going to be a tough game. Statistically on paper, we were so close on scoring offense, scoring defense, how many shots each player had, total points, goals, assists. Both goalies were one and two in the country at the time, so I knew on paper it was going to be a tough game. I didn't expect anything less. In terms of strokes...one minute you think you're going to win and then the next minute they have a chance to win. You know that one team had to win and whichever it won would deserve it. We were just lucky enough that it was us."
On the team's defense, which has allowed just 21 goals this season...
It's very important. We focused a lot on our attack from last year. That was our theme for the year, to move the ball quickly, to find the open space, to find the open player and to get the ball on the move. We've really worked on team defense. We've got a strong goalie (Christina Kirkaldy). She's made a lot of saves, so it's not like she hasn't seen the ball. She had over 75 saves before last weekend, so she's seen the ball. She's very quick. She's keeps her eye on the ball and wants to keep it out of the cage."
On the team's leading scorer, Annebet Beerman...
"Beerman is very important. She was really on a roll during the beginning of the season, but then she broke her finger and that really set her back a little bit. That really made the team step up and make up for the points, which they did. (Her finger) is getting better, though. It still hurts in the cold, so we'll see. She's very critical. She's one of the options in the corner, so she's very important."
On having played Old Dominion and Penn State earlier in the season...
"I don't think that you can look back on what happened in the season if we make it to that game. They were so close and they are both great teams. ODU has only gained momentum since then. They pick their times to blow someone out. Penn State is very dangerous. They're great on corners. We had them at home the first time and then it was 3-2 at the Big Ten Tournament. In those 3-2 games, it's anybody's game. Whatever team plays well and can put their best game together will win."
On any advantages..."
"I think that as coaches, we all lay in bed wondering what will give us an edge. I think that the only edge we'll have is if it snows. The field is a good field and good teams like a good field. I don't think it will provide an advantage to either team. And that's good. It will provide a more honest game."
On the transition of field hockey as a varsity sport...
"It's definitely changing. It used to be the East Coast and New England and then Iowa and Northwestern from the Big Ten in the 80s. Then it really shifted into other conferences. Louisville is one of them that's for sure. The sport just took off and we knew if would. New names are popping up. Wake Forest is one. It used to be UNC and Old Dominion and now you see Michigan State and Michigan. It's really anybody's game."
