Field Hockey Blanks Northwestern, 2-1

Oct. 17, 2010

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EAST LANSING, Mich.-The No. 7 Michigan State field hockey team (12-4, 1-3) topped conference rival Northwestern (10-6, 2-1), 2-1, on Sunday in a game which did not count in the Big Ten standings. Senior forward Amanda Huck scored the game-winning goal against the Wildcats which led MSU to capture their 12th win of the season.

The Spartans dominated the first half of play by keeping the Wildcats out of their backfield and recording eight shots on their offensive attempts. It wasn't until 31:17 that Northwestern got an attempt at the cage on a corner play. Kaylee Pohlmeyer was able to get the Wildcats on the board first when she picked up the rebound off of Molly Cassidy's save of the initial shot of the corner play.

MSU went into half time down 1-0 on the scoreboard, but edged their opponents 8-2 in shots. The Spartans came back out after their ten minute break strong and pressured the Wildcat?s defense right away.

During Northwestern's second corner of the game, senior midfielder Angela Pagura rushed the shooter and was able to clear the ball up the field before the Wildcats were able to get a shot off. Senior forward Jantine Steinmetz chased down Pagura's clear and sent the ball across the field to sophomore midfielder Kristen Henn, who was patiently waiting inside the circle. Henn was able to deflect the ball into the right corner past Amanda Wirth at 42:05 for her ninth tally of the season.

Steinmetz wasn't finished setting up her teammates. With less than three minutes to go, Steinmetz sent a beautiful cross through the circle to Huck, who was able to get her stick on the ball and deflect it into the top left corner of the cage to secure the MSU victory. Huck now has two goals this season and Steinmetz tallied her eighth assist in 2010. Following the winning goal Northwestern pulled their goalie in an attempt to even up the score, but could not gain an equalizer.

"We needed to stay alive [for NCAA selection] in the region, and that's what we did," said head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "The game plan was to show your pride, show your heart - and that's what the team did through the whole game. Scoring the second goal with three minutes left was a compliment to them and they stayed patient in executing in what they had to do."

The Spartans will host Big Ten opponent Indiana on Saturday, Oct. 23, at 1 p.m. in a televised match that will air on the Big Ten Network. Following the game, the Spartans will hold their annual Fall Play Day.