Michigan State University
Indiana
Spartans Shutout No. 19 Indiana, 6-0
9/26/2003 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Sept. 26, 2003
Bloomington, Ind. - No. 8 MSU field hockey got back to winning Friday night with a convincing 6-0 victory over the 19th-ranked Hoosiers in Bloomington, Ind. Michigan State moves to 6-3 on the year.
"The team was really excited to start the Big Ten season," said head coach Michele Madison. "They really felt it was time to get down to business, and they did it. They were just on tonight and they were working together. That is what we have been trying to do, to get teamwork on the field. With all the travel, I thought the odds were against us."
The Spartans entered the game after traveling to Winston-Salem, N.C. to face top-ranked Wake Forest and No. 4 Duke, as MSU lost both contests.
Junior Veerle Goudswaard notched the game-winning goal when she opened the scoring for MSU just three minutes into the contest. The Spartans went on to score four of the remaining five goals in the first period of play. Alexandra Kyser scored next on the assist from Annebet Beerman, setting up the next goal when Beerman found the back of the net herself, taking the ball on the assist from freshman Jennifer Beeuwkes. Kyser scored again at the 28th minute when she found the back of the net on a penalty corner.
Beeuwkes finished first half scoring with an unassisted goal in the 31st minute. Goudswaard ended what she started when she scored the game's final goal in the 39th minute on the feed from Sophie Rosmalen.
While the Spartans got on the board with strong offense, the Hoosiers were not easy competition. MSU out-shot IU just 15-10 and took 10 penalty corners to the Hoosiers' six.
"That's the best team Indiana has had," said Madison. "They are relentless, it was not easy for us. They really pushed us to a higher level. The coaches have done a great job getting them ready for the Big Ten season."
MSU got solid goaltending performances from starter Christina Kirkaldy who played just over 56 minutes with four saves. Senior Lauren Hess played nearly 14 minutes with four saves of her own.
"Christina had some good saves early on to get her shutout," said Madison. "Lauren had a lot of pressure because we had a lot of younger players in at the end of the game, trying to build some depth and flexibility on the team. Lauren made really nice hand saves. Both goalies were sharp and commanded the circle."
MSU returns to East Lansing, Mich., where they will host Ohio Sunday, Sept. 28 at the MSU Field Hockey Complex at 1 p.m.
