Spartans Defeat Ohio, 5-2

Sept. 6, 2009

ATHENS, Ohio - Michigan State received goals from five different players as it used a balanced offensive attack to defeat the Ohio University Bobcats, 5-2 Sunday afternoon in Athens, Ohio.

"We came out strong from the get-go," said head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "Ohio was also strong at the beginning but we were able to put on good pressure and get some goals off of some set plays which helped us get momentum, and eventually the win."

Junior Angela Pagura started the scoring for the eighth-ranked Spartans when she gathered a rebound off the post and fired it into the back of the net at the seven minute mark. The Bobcats responded quickly to tie the game at one when Marcy Dull scored off of a corner. Michigan State retook the lead when sophomore Angie Lucik connected on a penalty corner that was set up beautifully by senior Floor Rijpma. Freshman Adelle Lever punched home a rebound for her first career goal to make it 3-1 Spartans going into halftime.

Michigan State started the second half strong as freshman Manouk Vernij scored on a quick counter attack three minutes into the second frame for her fourth goal of the season. Ohio cut the lead in half when Taylor Brown scored off of a penalty corner, but Rijpma added a goal off of a rebound minutes later to finish off the Bobcats, 5-2.

"We got what we wanted this weekend with two wins on the road," van de Kerkhof said. "Now we have to get back to work and prepare for another road weekend."

The Spartans, who improved their record to 3-1, will be in action again September 12th and 13th as they travel to Syracuse, N.Y. for matchups with No. 16 Old Dominion and No. 3 Syracuse.