MSU Field Hockey Goes On The Road Against Penn State
10/8/2007 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Oct. 8, 2007
The Week Ahead
The Michigan State Spartans go on the road this weekend for a Big Ten showdown with the Penn State Nittany Lions at AstroTurf Field in University Park, Pa. The Spartans are 11-4 on the year and 2-1 in the Big Ten. Penn State has won four straight games and is now 9-4 on the year and 2-1 in the Big Ten. Penn State has won 22 out of the 29 all-time meetings between the two teams, including the last three contests.
Last Week's Action
MSU split last weekend's two home games, falling to the No. 6 Michigan Wolverines, 2-1 in overtime on Friday, but rebounded quickly with a much-needed conference win against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Sunday. The Spartans stayed sharp on offense, scoring five goals in two games and are now tied with North Carolina for the most goals in the country with 70.
Scouting the Wolverines
The Nittany Lions are led by junior forward Britney Long, who has nine goals and one assist, while leading her team with 19 total points. Penn State's defense has also been outstanding, holding its opponent to only 17 goals in 13 games. Junior goalkeeper Jen Beaumont has started all 13 contests for the Nittany Lions this year. She boasts a 9-4 record with a 1.28 goals against average, a .761 save percentage, and four shutouts.
A Look at the Spartans
MSU is second in the nation in scoring averaging 4.66 goals per game. Freshman Jantine Steinmetz leads the offense with 13 goals and one assist on the season, while also leading the team with 27 total points. Freshman Jeamie Deacon is third on the team with nine goals and leads the team in assists with eight. She ranks second for the Spartans with 26 points on the year. The MSU offense has been clicking this year as it ranks second in the nation in scoring margin (3.40), assists per game (3.60), and points per game (12.93).
The Spartans will have to go into battle this weekend with their second leading scorer on the bench, as senior Becky Manning is out with an injury. Manning has recorded 10 goals and three assists on the year, ranking her third on the team with 23 total points.
Spartan Defense
The MSU defense has allowed a goal or less in nine of its 15 games this season (1.26 goals per game average). Sophomore goalkeeper Elissa Unger has recorded four shutouts in 15 contests this season, while posting a 1.39 goals against average and a .698 save percentage.
Up Next
MSU continues Big Ten play as it travels to Bloomington, Ind., to take on the Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday Oct. 20. MSU has always played well, owning the all-time series record 10-1 over the Hoosiers.
