Field Hockey Visits Ball State and Indiana
10/6/2011 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Oct. 6, 2011
Listen to Spartan Sports Podcasts:
Helen| Allie
EAST LANSING, Mich.- After competing in three straight home games, the Michigan State field hockey team (5-8, 0-2 Big Ten) travels to Ball State and No. 15 Indiana. The Spartans and Cardinals face off on Saturday, Oct. 8th at 12 p.m. MSU visits Indiana for a Big Ten matchup on Sunday, Oct. 9th. Game time is set for 1 p.m. and will be televised on the Big Ten Network at 4 p.m. tape delayed.
Looking Back
Michigan State dropped both of its home matches this past weekend to two ranked opponents. The Spartans were blanked in their first conference home game, 3-0, by No. 16 Northwestern during a rainy contest. MSU and Northwestern battled throughout a scoreless first 45 minutes of play before there was a 20 minute rain delay. Following the short break, the Wildcats came back strong, scoring all three of their goals. Redshirt sophomore goaltender Molly Cassidy notched eight saves in the match.
On Sunday, the Spartans fell to No. 10 New Hampshire, 5-3, but did not go down without a fight. Both teams were strong on offense throughout the entire game. It was not until 16:02 into the first half that either team could find the scoreboard, when the Wildcats scored back-to-back goals. Freshman Allie Ahern scored her third goal of the season on a corner play to make sure MSU did not go into halftime scoreless. After the break, the visiting team scored three straight goals. Freshman forward Abby Barker staged a potential comeback, scoring twice to give the Spartan's momentum on offense for the rest of the game. MSU could not capitalize on the rest of its scoring opportunities and registered a loss for the eighth time this season.
Scouting Ball State
The Cardinals have only registered two wins this season so far and have fallen in 10 matches. Both of Ball State's victories have come over conference opponent Miami (Oh.). The Cardinal's most recently defeated the RedHawks, 6-5, to improve to 2-3 in the MAC. Four different BSU players scored in the victory. Freshmen midfielders Tori Widrick and Tarel Teach each scored twice, while goaltender Chelsea Mitchell picked up her first win of the season.
Looking at the Hoosiers
Indiana is 7-3 so far this season and boasts a 5-0 record while playing at home. It is 1-1 in the Big Ten after beating Northwestern, 4-1, and falling to Ohio State, 3-2. In the match against the Wildcats, redshirt junior forward Morgan Fleetwood became the Hoosier's all-time leader in shots with 188. Fleetwood is the team's top scorer with seven goals and two assists. Redshirt freshman Maggie Olsen is in the net for the Hoosiers. She has recorded a save percentage of.759 and a GAA of 1.27.
Fantastic Freshmen
The Spartan's two top scorers are freshmen forwards Abby Barker and Allie Ahern. Barker leads the team in goals scored with five and game-winning goals with two. She also has recorded an assist. Ahern has notched three goals and one assist so far in her debut season with MSU. She leads the Spartans in shots with 25.
Spread-Out Scoring
The Spartans have had goal contributions from 11 different players so far this season. Freshman Abby Barker leads the Spartans with five goals. Behind her are two players that have each scored three times, freshman Allie Ahern and redshirt sophomore Elizabeth Helffrich. Junior Adelle Lever and redshirt junior Chelsy Coil each have scored twice for MSU. Freshman Heather Howie leads the team in assists with four.
Big Ten Leader
Redshirt sophomore goaltender Molly Cassidy leads the Big Ten in saves per game with an average of 6.62 per contest. She also leads the conference in total saves, with 86 in 13 games. Cassidy has a GAA of 3.20 and a save percentage of .723. She was honored after her 3-0 shutout over No. 7 Virginia and a 2-1 victory over Miami of Ohio, as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.
Tough Defense
Adelle Lever leads the defense with three defensive saves, which she recorded against Boston University, Northeastern and Kent State. Angie Lucik also tallied a defensive save against the Huskies, while Corey Block has also notched a defensive save.
On the Road Again
The Spartans began their 2011 season playing 10 straight road games. They have traveled to Louisville, Ky., Boston, Mass., Oxford, Ohio and Providence R.I., since the beginning of their season. When they finally returned home, the Spartans notched an exciting 2-1 overtime victory over Kent State. MSU then fell in its next two home games to Northwestern and New Hampshire.
Game Day Promotions
On Friday Oct. 14th at the Spartans' game against Ohio State, there will be a t-shirt giveaway to the first 100 students. Every student that receives a t-shirt will be eligible to win an iPod touch at the October 21st game against Michigan. In order to be eligible to be entered into the raffle, students must wear the shirt they received at the Ohio State game to the Michigan game. The drawing will take place at halftime.
Next Up
The Spartans return home next weekend to host Ohio State on Friday, Oct. 14th at 3 p.m.
