Michigan State University
Penn State
Spartans Fall to No. 7 Penn State, 2-1
9/26/2014 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
EAST LANSING, Mich. - No. 18 Michigan State fell to No. 7 Penn State, 2-1 in its Big Ten home opener on Friday. Michigan State falls to 5-3 on the year and 1-1 in Big Ten play, while the Nittany Lions improve to 7-2 and 1-1 in the conference.
Bringing a three-game win streak into Friday's game, the Spartans had come from behind to get the win in each of those games. MSU found themselves trailing today after Penn State scored a pair of goals in two minutes apart in the first half to take an early 2-0 lead. The Spartans clawed their way back into the game yet again, but this time came up short.
"Penn State scored two goals in two minutes on us today and that is something we have to clean up," said head coach Helen Knull. "Possession wise, I thought we dominated the game. Penn State just finished their opportunities, and that is the way it goes. It is still early in conference play and the conference is still wide open. Now it is about how we regroup and come back out on Sunday."
After the Nittany Lions took that 2-0 lead early in the contest, Kristin Matula scored her first goal of the season to cut the deficit to one before halftime and get MSU back within striking distance. Matula dribbled up the right side and into the circle, where she beat Penn State goalie Kylie Licata. Licata who made nine saves in the game, but limited the Spartans to just the one tally.
Michigan State owned possession for much of the game's stretch run, creating quality opportunities that just missed. MSU took nine of the game's final 10 shots and had a cluster of four penalty corners late in the second half. However, great saves from Licata and stingy defense by Penn State held off the late MSU rally.
"PSU's goal keeper is solid. We've known that for years and saw it again today," said Knull. "She is very explosive laterally. We had a few today that we thought snuck by her, and then she would make a great save."
"We took a loss today, but there is a lot to be confident about moving forward. We saw the best effort from our back line today and we were all over the field. The girls stuck to the game plan and that is something we have to keep doing. We know we can play and beat anyone, it just comes down to the little details, something we pride ourselves on as a program."
Michigan State returns to action at home on Sunday when it plays host to No. 4 Maryland at 1 p.m.
