Michigan State University
Central Michigan
Field Hockey Finishes Regular Season With 2-0 Win
11/2/2008 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Nov. 2, 2008
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The Michigan State field hockey team closed out the regular season with a 2-0 shutout of Central Michigan. Senior Michelle Ciliberti (Louisville, Ky.) and junior Floor Rijpma (Bunnik, Netherlands) recorded goals for the Spartans and sophomore Jantine Steinmetz (Amstelveen, Netherlands) assisted on both, while junior Elissa Unger (Reading, Pa.) made two saves in goal for her third shutout of the season.
"It's great to finish the regular season with two quality wins, and it gives us confidence heading into post-season play," said head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "We knew it wouldn't be an easy game against Central Michigan, but we stayed composed, followed our game plan and scored two late goals to secure the win."
Michigan State scored both goals late in the second half. The first came at 58:32, with Steinmetz taking the initial shot and Ciliberti tipping the ball past Central Michigan goalkeeper Melinda Curran. The Spartans would add another tally in the final three minutes to secure the win, when Rijpma tipped one in off a pass from Steinmetz at 67:57. Sophomore Amanda Huck (Emmaus, Pa.) would make a defensive save in the first half to preserve the shutout for Michigan State.
The Spartans outshot the Chippewas, 13-4, and had four penalty corners to Central Michigan's six.
With the goal today, Rijpma moves up to seventh place on MSU's career goals list. She has 34 goals in her three years with the Spartans. Rijpma leads the team with 16 goals and 35 points this season.
MSU finishes out the 2008 regular season with a 15-4 overall record, and have done so on two other occasions - 2001 and 2007.
The Spartans begin play at the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday, Nov. 6. Matchups and game times will be released late Sunday by the conference.
