Spartans Pick Up Win Over Central Michigan

Sept. 26, 2006

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State freshman Anne-Sophie van Rijswijk registered her first career hat trick as the Spartan field hockey team down 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 to improve the Spartans' record 4-7-0 on the season.

Central Michigan (5-3-0) out shot Michigan State 6-4 in the first period, but the Spartans were able to capitalize on their scoring opportunities. Pernicano posted the first Michigan State goal at 5:53 to take the lead, on an assist by Charlotte van der Laag. The Spartans continued to control the game with two quick goals-by Rijpma at 12:29 and Van Rijswijk at 14:16- to give MSU a 3-0 lead. The Chippewas finally answered back at 26:51 on a goal by Samantha Sandham to post a 3-1 score at the end of the first period.

Michigan State started the second half with the same intensity, picking up right where it left off, with Van Rijswijk posting the eventual game-winner less than five minutes into the period. Pernicano tallied her second assist of the day on the goal to give the Spartans a 4-1 advantage. Central Michigan points leader Kelly Jordan found the back of the net at 50:01 to cut into the Spartan lead, but Van Rijswijk answered back at 65:33 on an assist by Ashley Smeltzer to put MSU up, 5-2. Alicia Balanesi posted one more for the Chippewas at 68:02 to make the final margin 5-3.

"We wanted to start hard with a full-court press and step into Centrals face in their own backfield," said head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "We kept our lines together and kept the ball moving to create scoring opportunities on which we were able to convert. We played as a team today, with a high level of Spartan energy."

The Spartans outshot Central Michigan 15-11, although the Chippewas held an 11-7 advantage on penalty corners. Michigan State will pick up action in the Big Ten on Saturday against Northwestern at 1 p.m. in Evanston, Ill.