MSU Field Hockey Continues Road Action At Michigan

Oct. 4, 2006

Weekly Notes
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EAST LANSING, Mich.-Michigan State will continue Big Ten play against in-state rival Michigan on Friday, Oct. 6. The Spartans travel to Ann Arbor to face the Wolverines at 3 p.m.

In-State Rivalry

Michigan holds a 22-31-7 advantage in all-time meetings with the Spartans. In 2005, the Wolverines defeated the Green and White, 1-0, in East Lansing. However, the Spartans defeated Michigan on its home turf in 2004 to advance to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament.

The Michigan Wolverines

Michigan State will head to Ann Arbor on Friday to face the No. 20 University of Michigan. The Wolverines come into the match on a two-game losing streak, following an overtime loss to No. 1 Maryland, and a shutout by Penn State. The Wolverines are now 5-7-0 overall and 1-1-0 in Big Ten Play.

Kelly Fitzpatrick leads the Wolverines with five goals. She is closely followed by Stephanie Hoyer and Lucia Belassi who have each posted four goals for the season.

Week In Review...

Michigan State freshman Anne-Sophie van Rijswijk registered her first career hat trick as the Spartans downed visiting Central Michigan, 5-3, on Tuesday. Included in Van Rijswijk's three goals was the game-winner early in the second half. Senior captain Ashley Pernicano and freshman Floor Rijpma also posted goals against the Chippewas.

Becky Manning posted her first goal of the season to force overtime against Northwestern on Saturday, but the Wildcats capitalized on a penalty corner as time ran out to come away with a 3-2 win. Northwestern went up 2-0 early in the first half, but Rijpma got the Michigan State offense going with a goal at 20:27 to post a 2-1 score at the intermission.

Relentless

Freshman Floor Rijpma has posted five goals and two assists this season. This past weekend, Rijpma posted two goals, one in each of the Spartan's games. She has been relentless in her pursuit to find the back of the net, with 45 shots for the season. She leads the Big Ten and MSU in shots taken, and is tied with classmate Anne-Sophie van Rijswijk for the team lead for game-winners, with two.

In The Big Ten

Stephanie Yuhasz is currently third in the Big Ten with 59 saves for the season. Yuhasz posted five saves against Central Michigan and 10 saves against Northwestern this past week. Yuhasz is also tied for third with two shutouts on the season.