Michigan State University
Michigan
Spartans Battle in Double Overtime Tournament Loss
11/3/2016 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Michigan State field hockey team suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 double overtime defeat in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament to No. 10 Michigan on Thursday morning. MSU held a 1-0 lead until the game's final minutes before the Wolverines sent it to overtime and eventually went on to win. The Spartans wrap up the regular season with an 8-12 record.
"I am so proud of how the team prepared and executed today's game plan," said head coach Helen Knull. "We fought with so much heart and determination. This is a tough loss in double overtime, but I couldn't be prouder of our fight. I want to thank Megan, Kristen, Mary Claire, Caitlin, Shelby, Sierra and Addie for all that they have given to this program and I am going to miss them all."
Senior captain Kristin Matula put MSU ahead in the 20th minute with her 11th goal of the season. Matula dribbled into the circle from 30 yards out and beat the keeper to the opposite corner with a perfect shot. Matula tallied 14 points over the final eight games of the season, including scoring a goal in six of those contests.
Michigan outshot MSU 19-8 for the game and owned an 8-1 advantage in penalty corners. The Spartans held onto their one-goal lead until the 68th minute. After drawing a penalty corner, MSU goalie Sierra Patton saved the initial shot, but Esther de Leijer of Michigan was there for the put back to force overtime.
Patton made a season-high 10 saves in the contest.
In the extra frame, Matula had another great chance after driving the end line, but her shot was turned away on a kick save by goalie Sam Swenson.
85 minutes was not enough to determine the outcome and the teams headed to double overtime still knotted up at 1-1. MSU's best chance came on a flurry of shots, but Swenson came up with two huge saves on shots from Megan Fenton and Addie Donaldson.
In the 90th minute, the Wolverines broke through when Meg Dowthwaite drove up the middle and left it for Leah Cardarelli. Cardarelli made a move to dodge the charging Patton and sent a backhanded shot into the net for the game-winning goal and 2-1 victory.
