State Blanks Central Michigan, 3-0

Oct. 13, 2005

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State field hockey team traveled to Mt. Pleasant, Thursday afternoon, capturing a 3-0 victory over in-state rival Central Michigan. It marks the sixth straight win for the Spartans over the Chippewas and senior goal keeper Christina Kirkaldy's third shutout of the year. MSU will rest for a day before putting its 9-6 record up against the 13-1 Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday, in Happy Valley at 12 p.m.

"This was a good win for us," stated head coach Michele Madison. "It gives us some of our confidence back and we will carry this momentum into Saturday's match."

After a slow start with no score at the half, the Spartans came out running in the second period. Just less than four minutes after the break, the Green and White passing attack led to a Michelle Huynh-Ba goal at 38:12.

"The first goal was great," Madison said. "It started with Becky Bolen in the backfield, who found Gwen (Riley) down the line. Huynh-Ba took it from the left corner and flicked it in, we had good movement on the ball."

State struck again, just five minutes later at 43:10, on a passing play that the Spartans had worked on over the past week. It was Huynh-Ba again who connected for her second goal of the game, with freshman back Inge Kaars Sijpestijn recording the assist. The final MSU goal came at the stick of Sijpestijn at 49:11, off a Breanna Harpstead and Maggie Giddens penalty corner combination.

"We attacked the game plan," Madison said. "We were able to spread out their defense and worked passing combinations."

With the Chippewas behind them, the Spartans now focus on Penn State, and picking up their first conference win. The Nittany Lions sit at the top of the Big Ten leader board and have managed to rattle of 13 consecutive victories.

"Penn State plays fast," Madison stated. "We will have to come out with all six cylinders firing. We must continue to play with urgency and attack the goal."