MSU Field Hockey Hosts Northwestern Saturday
10/20/2005 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Oct. 20, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. - No. 15 Michigan State welcomes Northwestern to the MSU Field Hockey Complex on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 3:30 p.m. With both teams still in search of a conference win, State (9-7, 0-4) is highly optimistic about its chances against Northwestern (7-8, 0-4), but knows that anything can happen in Big Ten play. The Spartans have not lost to the Wildcats since 2000.
"I'm confident that our team will be prepared to play," head coach Michele Madison stated. "It's always tough against Northwestern. We will have to find a way to put the ball in the goal."
The struggling Wildcats have picked up just one win in their last six tries and have not gotten a victory over a ranked opponent all year. The Spartans are ranked No.15 coming into Saturday's contest, but have also had their ups and downs this year, falling victim to many one goal losses.
"The team is playing well," Madison said. "I'm not disappointed in them at all. The only thing missing in those one-goal losses is a goal. This week we have worked on ball speed, attacking the end line and trying to get into better scoring position. We are going to shoot, shoot, shoot. The more we shoot the more we score."
The Spartans should be able to find plenty of scoring opportunities against the Wildcats, who allow over three goals a game, with an average of 3.13. Northwestern has allowed 47 goals on 272 shots, the most by any Big Ten team this season. Michigan State, on the other hand, looks to overcome the offense lapses which have haunted the team this year.
"We have to challenge them to empty their bucket," Madison said, referring to her team's play. "I think everyone can always give more. It's just a matter of believing that ball is going to go in, and finishing, and playing until it is in."
Following the Northwestern match, Michigan State only has two regular season games remaining, both of which are in East Lansing. The Green and White host Ohio State on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 11 a.m., returning the next day to face Ohio University at 2 p.m.
