Michigan State University
Columbia
Michigan State Stopped by Columbia Sunday
9/13/2015 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
EAST LANSING, Michigan - Michigan State fell to Columbia, 3-2, in Sunday's contest. The Spartans went 1-1 this weekend in New York City, moving to 3-3 overall on the season.
"It came back to how it has been the last couple of games when we're out-statting our opponent, but we're not finishing," said head coach Helen Knull. "It comes down to us putting the ball in the back of the net, whether it's off of field goals or off of corners."
It was a quiet first half until the final minute of play, where the Columbia Lions converted off of a penalty corner at the 35-minute mark. Maeve Doherty scored the goal off an assist from Christina Freibott and Rebecca Bard to put the Lions up 1-0 heading into halftime.
Columbia struck again in the 40th minute of play as Freibott found the back of the net off of a goal from Lindsey Walter. It was a hard shot, double-deflected goal that put the Lions up 2-0.
The Spartans got on the board in the 44th minute of regulation as sophomore Sophie Macadré scored off of a pass from junior Kristin Matula. Matula picked up a rebound, slid a pass through the defense to find Macadré in front of the net to make it 2-1.
The Lions responded quickly as Meredith Kalberer added an unassisted goal. The Lions led 3-1 in the 45th minute of regulation.
The Spartans pulled within one again when junior Megan Fenton scored off of a rebound on a penalty corner for her third goal of the season. Spartans trailed 3-2 in the 64th minute.
"We moved the ball a lot better," said head coach Helen Knull. "I thought our ball movement was probably the best it's been all year. It comes down to just finishing."
Despite two second-half goals, the efforts came up short as Columbia held on to win 3-2.
Michigan State recorded 17 shots with 14 shots on goal while the Lions marked just eight shots and five shots on goal.
Redshirt junior goalkeeper Sierra Patton moves to 3-3 on the season along with the Spartans. Patton recorded one save in today's contest.
MSU will return home on Friday, Sept. 18 to host Ohio State in the first Big Ten game of the year. The Buckeyes went 6-12 overall and 1-7 against Big Ten opponents in 2014, finishing at the bottom of the Big Ten alongside Indiana. The weekend will continue as UC Davis travels to East Lansing to face the Spartans Sunday, Sept. 20.
"We look forward to a strong week of practice this week and kicking off the Big Ten season against Ohio State on Friday," said Knull.
