Michigan State Field Hockey Edges Hofstra, 2-1

Sept. 11, 2004

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Michigan State (6-0) field hockey slipped past Hofstra (4-2) to extend its winning streak to six games in the first contest of the Hofstra Pride Invitational on Saturday afternoon. Senior forward Veerle Goudswaard secured the Spartan victory with her 11th goal in just six games.

"It was stressful to go into overtime, but we stayed with it to get the win," said Michigan State head coach Michele Madison. "Hofstra played really well. They were strong, fast and they kept pushing us. We just had to keep our composure and we did."

The majority of the first half was scoreless, until senior forward Michelle Carstens put MSU on the board to notch her first goal of the season and the Spartans' only goal of regulation play.

State held onto the 1-0 lead throughout the second half, but the Pride was able to retaliate with just 49 seconds remaining in the game, when sophomore midfielder Doni-Melissa Jantzen netted a ball past Spartan junior goaltender Christina Kirkaldy.

Michigan State outshot Hofstra 10-7 in the first half and 7-5 in the second, while each team took three shots in overtime. Despite the fierce Green and White offensive effort, Hofstra's sophomore goaltender Jessica Cowperthwait posted a total of ten saves throughout the competition to fend off State's scoring attempts. State's Kirkaldy recorded seven saves.

About ten minutes into OT, Goudswaard netted the game-winner to maintain MSU's undefeated status thus far in 2004. Goudswaard also drew an assist in Saturday's contest, as did junior forward Annebet Beerman.

"The field was rough, but Hofstra knew how to play on it," said Madison. "We'll have another opportunity to play the same field tomorrow and now we are just getting ready to play that game. We are excited for the chance to play again."

Next, MSU faces Sacred Heart at Hofstra on Sunday, Sept. 12 at 11:30 a.m. After that, State will host Kent State in East Lansing on Sept. 17.