MSU Shuts Out Yale, 4-0, In Home Opener

Sept. 14, 2006

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Senior Ashley Pernicano recorded her first career hat trick as Michigan State downed visiting Yale 4-0, in the Spartan home opener. Freshman Floor Rijpma tallied the game-winning goal early in the second half to help the Spartans improve 3-4 on the season. The win also marks the first home victory for first-year head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof.

"We came out focused and took care of our game plan for 70 minutes as a team," said Van de Kerkhof. "I told the girls that until they played as a team for an entire game they couldn't call themselves a team. Today they were a team."

The Michigan State offense controlled the first half, out shooting Yale 16-2 and led the Bulldogs 9-1 in penalty corners, but were unable to capitalize on any of their scoring oppurtunities. Pernicano came close with 1:20 left in the half in a one-on-one situation that was broken up by Yale netminder Elizabeth Frieldander. Friedlander had nine saves in the half for the Bulldogs.

The second frame was also dominated by the Spartans, with a quick Rijpma goal at 37:44 to put MSU ahead, 1-0. The eventual game-winner was followed by two more quick goals by Pernicano at 41:52 and 43:02. Freshman Sarah Jones and senior Ashley Smeltzer each earned an assist on the goals. Pernicano closed out the hat trick at 50:04 to post the final, 4-0 margin. Michigan State had 18 second-half shots compared to the two by Yale.

"Scoring three goals was exciting because it's the most I've scored in one game in college," said Pernicano. "But it was a team effort. The team got the ball down the field and I just happened to be in front of the goal at the right time."

MSU out shot Yale 34-4 for the day. Michigan State's Stephanie Yuhasz earned the second shutout of her career with one save. Elizabeth Friedlander and Charlotte Goins combined for 12 saves for the Bulldogs. Michigan State will continue this weeks action with two road games this weekend, beginning with No. 1 Wake Forest at 12 p.m. on Saturday, followed by Kent State at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Both games will be played in Kent, Ohio.