Field Hockey Prepares for Matchup at Michigan
9/30/2010 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Sept. 30, 2010
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EAST LANSING, Mich.-The No. 6 Michigan State field hockey team continues Big Ten conference play this Friday when it travels to Ann Arbor to face archrival No. 19 Michigan at 4 p.m. The Spartans will then return home on Sunday afternoon to square off against Ohio at 1 p.m.
Last time out
The Spartans are now 9-1 on the season and 1-0 in Big Ten play after they downed their first Big Ten opponent, Iowa, 1-0, last Friday at home. Senior forward Jantine Steinmetz scored the game-winning goal against the Hawkeyes to tally her fifth goal of the season. Senior back Joelle van Ierland was credited with the assist, which puts her at seven helpers this season.
"You always want to start off with a win, especially in a new season with Big Ten play because it sets the tone and allows you to have confidence in your team," said head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof.
The Lone Goal
Out of the nine victories for the Spartans, four have been decided by a score of 1-0. The Spartans have a strong offense that has tallied 161 shots for a shot percentage of .193 this season and look to improve their scoring chances as they enter into the weekend. So far, the Spartans have combined for a total of 31 goals scored, which is good for second in the Big Ten.
"It's an ongoing challenge so we had a week of practices that are designed to further develop the timing of players working together," said van de Kerkhof. "With that hopefully we will increase our scoring opportunities into goals."
Perfect at Home
The Spartans will play a total of 10 games at home in East Lansing at the Ralph Young Field this season. Out of the five games that have been played on their home turf so far, MSU has walked away with a victory for all five of them. After traveling this weekend to Ann Arbor, the Spartans will kick off three home games in a row when they face Ohio at home on Sunday. The following week, the Green and White will face No. 15 Penn State at 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8, and then No. 9 Wake Forest that Sunday at 1 p.m.
Shut Out
Freshman goalkeeper Molly Cassidy recorded her fourth shutout victory when the Spartans topped the Hawkeyes, 1-0, this past weekend. She has also recorded shutouts against No. 10 Duke (1-0), Providence (1-0), and No. 12 James Madison (1-0). All of her shutouts have been by a score of 1-0 and at home. After her three-save performance against Iowa, Cassidy has a save percentage of .848 and a GAA of 1.05. MSU currently leads the Big Ten with the fewest goals allowed per game with an average of 0.80.
Scouting the Wolverines
The Spartans will compete against the Wolverines in Ann Arbor for the second time this fall on Friday. The two rivals faced each other in an exhibition game on Aug. 21, where Michigan edged MSU, 3-2. The Wolverines enter the contest on six-game winning streak, which includes their first Big Ten victory over Penn State (2-0). Friday's contest will be the 64th meeting between the two field hockey teams. The Spartans defeated the Wolverines last year, 2-1 at Ralph Young field to clinch the 2009 Big Ten Title.
Looking at Ohio
The Spartans hold an 11-1 all time record over the Bobcats. In Ohio's last match, the Bobcats blanked Ball State 7-0 at home. Cathryn Altdoerffer scored a hat-trick for Ohio in their sixth win of the season. Before traveling to East Lansing to face off against the Spartans, the Wildcats have a Friday contest against Central Michigan. MSU defeated Central in the beginning of the season 4-2 in the Champions Invitational Tournament.
