No. 7 Spartans Defeat No. 9 Old Dominion, 4-1

Sept. 12, 2009

Syracuse, N.Y. - Michigan State used a three goal first half and solid defense to defeat the No. 9 Old Dominion Monarchs, 4-1 Saturday afternoon in Syracuse, N.Y..

"This was the best game we've played this season," said head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "We did an excellent job of applying pressure and were very poised in generating points on offense."

Freshman Manouk Vernij got Michigan State on the board when she poked in a rebound off of a scramble to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead. Sophomore Chantae Miller added to the lead less than two minutes later scoring on a penalty corner that was set up beautifully by senior Jeamie Deacon. Vernij added her second goal of the game and sixth of the season just before the intermission to give the Spartans a 3-0 halftime advantage.

Michigan State pushed the lead to 4-0 early in the second half when junior Amanda Huck poked in a rebound off a penalty corner. Old Dominion's Anna Kern scored the game's final goal off of a rebound to make the score 4-1 and end senior Elissa Unger's bid for her first shutout on the season.

The Spartans, who improved their record to 4-1, will be in action again tomorrow when they face the No. 8 ranked Syracuse Orange at 1 p.m.