Michigan State University
Ohio
No. 4 Michigan State Field Hockey Blanks Ohio, 7-0
9/24/2004 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Sept. 24, 2004
ATHENS, Ohio - Michigan State (9-1) field hockey shut out Ohio (2-7), 7-0, on the Bobcats' home field Friday afternoon. The Spartans dominated from the start and applied heavy offensive pressure, outshooting Ohio 26-9, to post the win. State's victory marks junior goaltender Christina Kirkaldy's 14th career shutout.
"We took the field from the beginning," said MSU head coach Michele Madison. "We possessed the ball really well and that translated into a wealth of scoring opportunities."
Sophomore forward Ashley Pernicano put the Spartans' on the scoreboard 7:09 into the game with what would be the eventual game-winner and an assist from senior forward Veerle Goudswaard. Next, junior forward Annebet Beerman posted a goal, her first of three, also assisted by Goudswaard.
After posting two assists, Goudswaard netted her 15th goal of the season. Pernicano recorded the assist.
"Pernicano and Goudswaard were finding each other all day," Madison said. "It was kind of neat because they were there to assist each other on goals."
Goudswaard, known for her ability to score on the breakaway, notched her second goal of the game with an unassisted goal to bring the Spartan lead to 4-0. After that, Beerman scored two consecutive goals to ensure a hat trick performance and freshman forward Michelle Ciliberti closed out scoring with her third goal of the season.
With multiple-goal scorers in Goudswaard and Beerman, the Spartans' vehicle to success extends well beyond what the box score indicates.
"The team really coalesced to find the win today," Madison said. "(Junior midfielder) Jessica Miller and Beerman were crucial in our ability to keep possession of the ball. Jacqueline (Ahinga) really changed the point of attack in the backfield, so that we could drive the ball up the sideline to score. Everyone on the team contributed to the win."
The Spartans celebrate their performance, but look ahead to the remainder of weekend competition, which includes the 2004 conference opener.
"Now, we are just ready to open up Big Ten competition at Northwestern," Madison said. "We are looking forward to that game."
MSU will meet the Wildcats in Evanston, Ill. for a 1 p.m. contest on Sunday, Sept. 26.
