Michigan State University
Penn State, Big Ten Tournament
Michigan State Field Hockey Falls To Penn State
11/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Nov. 4, 2006
ANN ARBOR, Mich.- - Michigan State forced third-seeded Penn State into overtime, but fell short in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Tournament, suffering a 2-1 loss in sudden death overtime.
Michigan State's Gwen Riley gave the Spartans a 1-0, advantage in the second half, but a goal by Shaun Banta at 68:01 forced the overtime period. Michigan State is eliminated from the tournament with the loss, while Penn State will advance to the championship game Sunday at 1:00 p.m. in Ann Arbor.
Opportunities were few and far between for both teams in the first period, with a combined total of five shots. The Nittany Lions had the only penalty corner of the half.
Riley once again sparking the Michigan State offense on a breakaway to put the Spartans up, 1-0, at the 61:55 mark. Spartan keeper Stephanie Yuhasz, who held PSU scoreless for the first 68 minutes of the contest, let PSU's Shaun Banta slip one by at 68:01, allowing the Nittany Lions to tie the score with less than two minutes remaining in regulation. Banta, who led the Big Ten in goals scored throughout the regular season, tallied her first post-season goal on an assist by Mallory Weiden.
The Nittany Lions, who held a 5-1 shot advantage in overtime, ended the Spartans hope of a tournament title, as Keirsten Wood picked up a rebound off a penalty corner to end the game at 78:26.
Yuhasz ended the game with seven saves on 13 shots by Penn State, while Nittany Lion goalkeeper Jen Beaumont closed the day with two saves on six shots faced.
"Looking back at the season, we began with a new group of players, and a new coaching staff," said first year head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "Every week we got better, smarter and became stronger. As a coaching staff we can only be proud of what the players have learned. We fought hard this weekend and showed true Spartan spirit.
"The biggest credit you can receive as a program comes when other coaches, players and player parents, compliment your play, and it is a testimony to how far we have come this season."
The Spartans will now await selection for the NCAA tournament; the Division I selection show will be aired on CSTV at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7.
