Michigan State University
Central Michigan
Anderson's Hat Trick Powers Spartan Victory
9/1/2016 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State field hockey team defeated Central Michigan, 7-1, on Thursday night in the Spartans' home opener. MSU improved to 2-1 on the season behind redshirt junior Kendal Anderson's first career hat trick, while Kristin Matula added two goals for the Spartans.
"It has been an emphasis of ours to play on the front foot, play forward, and control the tempo. That was something we challenged them on this week in practice," said head coach Helen Knull. "The team confidence is up and it is helping us to play our game, to keep thinking on the front foot and attacking forward and attack in numbers. We have a lot of players playing on two lines, so we are getting a lot of fresh legs in and that is helping us keep our pace of play up."
Anderson got the scoring started right away with a goal off a penalty corner in the fourth minute on an assist from Lauren Bonness. In the 17th minute, Anderson executed a nice give-and-go with Simone Vagnoni on another set piece to put MSU up 2-0.
"Kendal has an ice hockey background. Sometimes, she does things that other forwards can't do with their stick handling and she has great power and presence. Now that we have been able to move her to the forward line, when she can take a shot from the 10 at point blank, it is going to be a goal nine times out of 10. I think she is really embracing being a goal-scorer on our corners as well as in field play. It was great to see her get a hat trick today."
The Chippewas (0-3) got their lone goal in the game's 23rd minute after a scramble in front following a blocked shot on a penalty corner. The Spartans responded with Kristin Matula's first goal of the game in the 29th minute.
Anderson became the 20th Spartan in school history to record a hat trick, sending home her third goal of the game before halftime. Similar to her second goal, Anderson and Vagnoni displayed nice passing in the circle following a corner to free the midfielder to put home her sixth goal of the young season. It was the first hat trick by a Spartan field hockey player since 2013.
"It felt really good," said Anderson. "Obviously, it was execution from my teammates around me. Finishing is something we have been working on in practice, so it was nice to get the outcome. We have been working on our forwards getting open for our midfielders so that we are in a good position to score when the ball comes in."
The Spartans dominated possession and outshot the Chippewas 29-5 for the game while holding a 12-5 advantage in corners.
"I think overall, we have emphasized on doing everything on the move," said Knull. "Play two-touch hockey, receive and release the ball. Our midfield, with Simone (Vagnoni) and Kristin (Matula) in the center, they have had a lot of experience and they are playing like that."
After the break, MSU added three more goals to make it 7-1. Freshman Kelsey Keener scored her first career goal in the Green and White, and then Matula scored her second goal of the evening in the 55th minute. Megan Fenton scored her third goal of the season and capped off the scoring in the 67th minute.
Anderson also tallied an assist to compliment her three goals, while Vagnoni led the team with two helpers.
MSU returns to action against Quinnipiac on Monday at 11 a.m. at Ralph Young Field.
