Spartans Fall in B1G Quarterfinals, 1-0

Nov. 6, 2014

Ann Arbor, Mich. - No. 19 Michigan State's field hockey season came to an end on Thursday afternoon in Ann Arbor, as the fifth-seeded Spartans dropped a 1-0 decision to No. 5 Penn State in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament. The defending Big Ten Tournament champions struggled offensively in the opening half, and a goal in the first 90 seconds of the second frame would serve as all the Nittany Lions would need. MSU caps its season with a 10-9 overall record.

The 1-0 loss is the seventh one-goal loss of the season for the Spartans, and one of 13 one-goal decisions for MSU this season. With a slow offensive start (outshot 9-1 and PSU held a 5-0 edge on penalty corners in the first half), the Spartans got back into it with seven shots and four corners in the period after intermission, but were bolstered by strong defensive play of redshirt sophomore Sierra Patton, who had eight saves in the game.

"I thought we left it all out on the field today, and really fought to the end," said head coach Helen Knull. "Sierra Patton was absolutely awesome for us, and was the difference for us when we weren't as sharp in the first half. I thought we came out much better after intermission, but credit to Penn State, too.

"This is the toughest part, as I told the team," continued Knull. "We thanked the seniors for their contributions to the program, and told the underclassmen to remember the feeling they have right now. It's hard knowing that we won't have an opportunity to get back after it tomorrow. I'm proud of the way our team competed today."

Penn State held a 9-1 advantage in shots and 5-0 advantage in penalty corners in the opening period. Three minutes into the contest the Nittany Lions were awarded a penalty corner, but Michelle Graham turned it away before it could get to Patton, who made five of her eight saves in that first half, including a pair on point-blank Nittany Lion opportunities that kept the Spartans in the game.

While the Spartans had a much better offensive performance in the second half, the team was playing from behind on the scoreboard as the Nittany Lions struck less than 90 seconds into the second half. Senior Laura Gebhart deked around a Spartan defender, and put it over the right leg pad of Patton from about five yards out.

MSU had an opportunity to even the game when it was awarded back-to-back corners a less than 60 seconds apart just five minutes later; the better of the two chances was the first, as Kristin Matula nearly put in a rebound at the left side of the cage. MSU's offering on the second went wide.

With the clock winding down to less than 17 minutes remaining, Ahern had a chance on a redirection on a long shot by Matula that went just wide left, and on a counterattack, Patton came up with a big point-blank save on a shot by Bethany Mink.

MSU struggled to maintain offensive pressure, but Patton kept the Spartans in it as she continued to come up with big saves, none bigger than on a one-on-one point-blank shot by Gebhart with 3:14 to go which she was able to turn away.

With under a minute remaining and time ticking off the clock, the Spartans mounted one last rush, as they were awarded a penalty corner with 20 seconds on the clock. Licata made the save, but after a scramble in front, the Spartans were granted a second corner opportunity. This time, Licata made the save, and the defense cleared the ball from the circle to end the contest.

Thursday's loss meant the end of the MSU careers of seniors Abby Barker, Heather Howie, Becky Stiles, Jenni Smith, Alli Helwig, Michelle Graham, and Allie Ahern.