Spartans Down Ohio, 3-1

Oct. 23, 2016

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State field hockey team downed Ohio, 3-1 on Sunday afternoon at Ralph Young Field. With the win, the Spartans improve to 8-9 on the year. Three different Spartans scored goals and MSU dominated for much of the game to come away with the victory.

"Today I thought we had good off-ball movement that created a lot of opportunities," said head coach Helen Knull. "We have to get stronger in our finishing. Ohio has a good keeper, but at times we put the ball straight on and we need to challenge a little bit more. We did a good job of making tackles in the circle so that they weren't getting the shots off."

MSU wasted no time taking the game's first lead, as Kelsey Keener scored in the fifth minute. Senior captain Kristin Matula sent in a shot that Keener redirected into the back of the net for her fifth goal of the season.

The Spartans extended the lead to two goals in the 13th minute after Addie Donaldson dribbled into the corner from the right side and beat the keeper for her second goal of the season. Madison O'Neil picked up her third assist of the season on the play.

Ohio (6-10) cut the deficit to one in the 25th minute, capitalizing on its only corner opportunity of the first half. The Spartans owned a 12-2 advantage in corners for the game and outshot the Bobcats 23-4.

"Our backs stepped up well today and we moved some players around a little bit. Bailey Higgins played in the middle for us today and I thought she did a good job of controlling the play. We kept the ball moving and moved off-ball to space, so we managed the possession well, which didn't give them too many attacking opportunities."

Michigan State tacked on an insurance goal in the 45th minute to go up 3-1. Sophie Macadre dribbled in from the end line and found Megan Fenton on a cross. Fenton connected for her 11th goal of the season.

"That whole play happened because of the run that Sophie made," said Knull. "She made a hard run. You might make that run and not get it nine times out of 10, but the one time you get it, it sets up the goal. She made a great, hard run to the corner and then she put it beautifully along the end line and knew Megan was coming in. It was a good setup goal and good finish."

Katie Miller earned the win with three saves, and the junior is now 7-7 on the year.

MSU wraps up the regular season with a pair of home games against ranked opponents. No. 10 Northwestern comes to Ralph Young Field on Friday, Oct. 28, for a 3 p.m. for the final Big Ten game of the season that will air live on BTN. The game will also be the Spartans annual ‘Pink Game.' No. 18 Stanford then comes to East Lansing to take on MSU on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 2 p.m. for Senior Day.