Field Hockey Prepares For The NCAA Tournament
11/14/2003 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Nov. 14, 2003
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
No. 5 Michigan State 16-4 (5-1) Big Ten Tournament Champions:
Michigan State field hockey repeated as Big Ten Tournament Champions and will advance to the NCAA tournament for the third consecutive year. The Spartans defeated Indiana in the first round, 3-1, and shutout Ohio State, 3-0, in the semifinals. Second-seeded MSU then knocked out host Penn State, the fourth-seed, in the finals, 5-3.
Big Ten Co-Champions:
The Spartans posted a 5-1 mark in conference action this season. The lone loss came at the hands of archrival Michigan on Oct. 17, 1-0. With the loss, it appeared the Spartans Big Ten title hopes had been dashed. However, Ohio State upset the Wolverines in Columbus, Ohio, the following weekend to leave a race for the championship on the final weekend of the conference season. MSU defeated the Buckeyes in East Lansing, Mich., recording its fifth shutout of the season, 5-0, on Oct. 31. The following day, Michigan defeated Penn State in Ann Arbor, Mich., to share title honors with the Spartans. The regular-season title marks the second in three years for Michigan State. The Spartans won the Big Ten trophy in 2001.
There's No Place Like Home:
Michigan State has won 19 of its last 20 home games, including an 8-1 mark this season. The lone loss came to then-No. 6 Michigan. The NCAA announced its first and second round sites for the Tournament on Nov. 11. MSU was selected as one of four championship sites around the country. Connecticut, Maryland and Duke are the other host institutions for the first and second rounds.
NCAA Tournament:
The NCAA Division I Field Hockey Committee announced the field of 16 teams for the 2003 NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship on Nov. 11. Six conferences were awarded automatic qualification. In addition, four conferences competed for two play-in berths and the remaining eight teams were selected at large. The schools and conferences that received automatic qualification are: Northeastern (America East), Boston (Big East), Michigan State (Big Ten), Louisville (Mid-American), Princeton (Ivy Group), Old Dominion (Colonial Athletic Association). The teams winning the play-in berths were the American University (The Patriot League) and the University of California, Berkeley (Northern Pacific Field Hockey Conference). The first- and second-round games will be played on four campus sites November 15 and 16. The University of Massachusetts, Amherst, will host the semifinals and final, November 21 and 23 at Garber Field. For ticket information, please call 866/UMASS-TIX.
MSU Fifth in the Country:
Michigan State field hockey boasts a No. 5 national ranking in the latest NFHCA poll, released Nov. 11. Rankings can be found at nfhca.org. The Nov. 11 poll marks the final coaches poll of the season.
The Rankings:
The Spartans are 23-30 against teams ranked in the national top 25 over the past six seasons. Here is a look at a year-by-year breakdown of MSU's wins and losses against ranked opponents.
2003 7 42002 6 12001 6 32000 1 41999 1 91998 2 9
Last Time Out:
State was searching for its second ever Big Ten Tournament title and opened up the weekend against seventh-seeded Indiana. The Spartan offense set the stage early for what was to come in the semifinals and finals. Michelle Huynh-Ba scored only 8:53 into the tournament while Veerle Goudswaard and Jennifer Beeuwkes added goals as well to upend the Hoosiers, 3-1. After a scoreless first half against third-seed Ohio State in the semifinals, MSU picked up two goals from eventual tournament MVP Alexandra Kyser as well as a late tally by Jessica Miller for the 3-0 win. It was the second time this season the Spartans shutout the Buckeyes. In the finals, Michigan State battled fourth-seed Penn State, the host school for the tournament. But the home crowd did not affect MSU as Goudswaard got on the scoreboard 1:46 into the game and Kyser and Hunyh-Ba recorded goals before 10 minutes had passed. Goudswaard and Hunyh-Ba each picked up another goal in the second half to seal a 5-3 victory and a successful defense of the Big Ten Tournament title.
Big Ten Honors:
Alexandra Kyser was named 2003 tournament MVP as she compiled three goals on the weekend. Goalkeeper Christina Kirkaldy, Miller and Kyser were named to the Big Ten Tournament team following the 5-3 victory in the title game.
Kyser was a unanimous selection to the Big Ten's first team while Sophie Rosmalen was also a first-team choice. Christina Kirkaldy, Annebet Beerman and Jessica Miller were each second-team All-Big Ten selections.
Louisville the Last Time:
The last time MSU met the Cardinals was Sept. 12 in Louisville, Ky. MSU won that contest, 3-2. Michigan State is an undefeated 4-0 against Louisville.
Degrees of Separation:
Louisville head coach Pam Bustin was an assistant coach at Michigan State from 1992-97. Prior to working with head coach Michele Madison at MSU, Bustin was her assistant at Temple from 1989-91.
Offense Shines:
Veerle Goudswaard, Michelle Huyhn-Ba and Alexandra Kyser all netted three goals during the Big Ten Tournament weekend to pace the Spartans. Annebet Beerman led State in assists with five while Jessica Miller and Breanna Harpstead picked up two apiece.
A Place In Michigan State History:
Alexandra Kyser moved up the career goal list with 16 goals on the season, for a total of 28 in her four-year career. She is tied for eighth all-time with Emma Fernandez. Annebet Beerman, meanwhile, claimed third place in the Spartans' career goals list with 46 after a natural hat trick performance against Ohio State on Oct. 31.
Beerman is alone in fifth on the assists list with 25 (nine this season). She is also alone in third place in career points with 117 (46g, 25a). Goalkeeper Christina Kirkaldy is eighth on the all-time saves list with 212 in her two-year career.
You've Come A Long Way, Baby:
State's field hockey seniors are 66-22 over their collegiate careers, from 2000-present, with a 17-7 Big Ten mark over that same span. The senior class has also led MSU to a 7-3 mark in postseason competition, including Big Ten Tournament and NCAA Tournament games. They have advanced to the NCAA Tournament each of the past three seasons while claiming the 2001 Big Ten regular season title, the 2002 Big Ten Tournament title and the 2003 Big Ten regular season and Big Ten Tournament titles.
Records, Covered:
Michigan State field hockey has won at least 16 games in each of the last three seasons. The Spartans were 16-6 in 2001 and 23-3 in 2002. They boast a 16-4 overall record heading into NCAA Tournament competition.
Offense Not a Problem:
The Spartans have outscored the competition four to one in the first period, posting 41 goals to the opponent's 10 in the first 35 minutes.
Hot Shots:
MSU has taken over 100 more shots then their competition this season as they have 333 shots to 210 by the opposition.
Michigan State On the Corner:
Michigan State penalty corners have proved to be one of their strongest areas this season. They have out-cornered opponents 187-120.
The Assembly Line:
Michigan State continues to boast a productive offense as the Spartans average nearly four goals a game (3.7 average). Meanwhile, the stingy defense has allowed less than 1.5 goals per game, with a 1.4 average. Michigan State has also outscored its competition 199-67 this season.
In Our Defense:
The defense has also forced opponents to create their own shots instead of tipping shots into the goal. Michigan State players have dished out 53 assists in 2003 to just 13 by its opponents.
Starting Out:
Sophomore goalkeeper Christina Kirkaldy is the only MSU player to have started in every game this season. Kirkaldy has made 20 starts, protecting the Spartan cage for nearly 1,220 minutes, giving up just 24 goals.
New Digs, No Problem:
Veerle Goudswaard has amassed five game-winning goals in her first year as a Spartan. The junior transfer from James Madison has made her mark on the MSU record books as she is fifth on the single-season points list and fifth on the single-season goals list.
Freshman Steps Up:
Freshman Jennifer Beeuwkes decided to play field hockey for the Spartans without ever making a visit to the East Lansing campus. The Hague, Netherlands, native has 10 assists in her first season at MSU. Her six assists against Big Ten competition leads the conference.
On The Flip Side:
Michigan State has won 11 of its last 12 games. The lone loss came at the hands of then-No. 6 Michigan and also marked the first-ever loss at the MSU Field Hockey Complex.
Caught Streaking:
State has won its last six games to rekindle its momentum. Prior to a conference loss to Michigan, the Spartans boasted a 17-game home winning streak. Since that time they have defeated Hofstra, Penn State and Ohio State in regular season play. In the Big Ten Tournament, the Spartans won three games against Indiana, Ohio State and Penn State to claim the Big Ten Tournament title.
On a Personal Note:
Freshman Ashley Pernicano could meet up with several high school teammates. Fellow Torrey Pines HS alum Jessica Javelet plays for Louisville. Former teammates, twins Haley and Tracey Scott play for Wake Forest.
Quick Shots From The Big Ten
* Veerle Goudswaard is tied for fourth in the conference in shots (89). Annebet Beerman is sixth on the shots list wtih 79.
* Goudswaard is third in the conference in points (43) while Beerman is sixth (39) and Alexandra Kyser is fifth (41).
* Veerle is also tied for third in the conference with 17 goals and is second in goals per game (0.85). Her five game-winning goals are also tied for first in the conference.
* Jennifer Beeuwkes is tied for third in the conference with 10 assists on the season, average 0.50 assists per game.
* As a team, the Spartans lead the Big Ten in scoring, goals, goals per game and are tied for the lead with Michigan and Ohio State in assists. The Spartans are also tied with Michigan for the fewest goals allowed per game (1.35)
