Michigan State University
Penn State
Spartans Fall to No. 8 Penn State
9/23/2006 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Sept. 23, 2006
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State field hockey team suffered a 3-1 loss to a tough Penn State team on Saturday. The Nittany Lions led 1-0 after controlling the majority of the first half, but early in the second period senior Ashley Smeltzer knotted the game 1-1. Penn State put two more in the net to close out the game. MSU goalkeeper Stephanie Yuhasz contributed five saves to keep the Spartans in the game.
Penn State (8-2-0) controlled the majority of action in the first half, keeping the ball around the Michigan State goal, although it was unable to capitalize until 27:42. The goal was posted by Penn State's leading scorer, Shaun Banta, off a corner, to give the Nittany Lions a 1-0 advantage. The Spartans (3-7-0) had just one corner in the half compared to seven by Penn State.
Michigan State came out with more aggression to start the second period, with Smeltzer finding the back of the net at 36:53. The goal went unanswered until 51:15, when Allison Scola posted the game-winner for Penn State. Mallory Weisen notched her second assist of the day when she tipped a corner shot to Natalie Blasco recording an insurance goal for PSU at 59:53.
The Spartans were out shot by Penn State, 17-9. The Nittany Lions also held a 10-7 advantage in penalty corners.
"It was a tough loss," said MSU head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "We had another strong performance by Stephanie Yuhasz in goal, but she couldn't do it alone. We have to play as a team. We know how to play hockey, now we just have to do it. I have to credit Penn State as they were able to convert on their opportunities."
The Spartans stopped a three-game shutout streak by Penn State, although the Nittany Lions extended their win streak to eight. Michigan State will face their final non-conference opponent of the regular season on Tuesday at 4 p.m. when the Spartans welcome Central Michigan to East Lansing.
