Ross Scores Twice in Overtime Victory over Indiana

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Playing in their fifth overtime game of the season, the Michigan State field hockey team defeated Indiana in the first round of the Big Ten tournament on October 26, 2018 by a final score of 3-2. With a win the Spartans advance to the quarterfinals where they will meet top-seeded Maryland.

A win for MSU snapped a nine-game losing streak for the Spartans and ended Indiana's season.

Michigan State took 17 shots during Friday's contest, their most in a game dating back to a September 18 win over Central Michigan. MSU held a 12-10 advantage over the Hoosiers in shots on goal and faced a 9-7 deficit in penalty corner opportunities. The Spartans' 12 shots on goal were their second most of the season behind a 14 shot on goal performance against Pacific on September 9.

Freshman goalkeeper Jade Arundell made six saves and allowed two goals in 69:10 of time in cage. Indiana's Sachi Ananias allowed three goals and made eight saves.

Indiana started the scoring early with a goal from just inside the circle by Claire Woods in the 10th minute. The Hoosiers maintained a 1-0 lead for the remainder of the first half despite Michigan State taking nine total shots.

Sophomore Meredith Ross scored her first of two game-tying goals in the 44th minute on an assist from sophomore Lia Sinisi. Ross collected Sinisi's pass from directly in front of the keeper and slotted it past Ananias to tie the game.

The Hoosiers took the lead for the second time just three minutes later off a penalty corner. Nora Aucker took the ball out for a penalty corner, Taylor Swope set the ball, and Kelsey Giese fired on goal to give IU a 2-1 lead.

Down by one with 10:45 left in regulation, the Michigan State coaching staff made a bold decision to pull Arundell from the game and play with 11 field players. Things payed off for the Spartans as senior Bailey Higgins made two defensive saves for MSU.

Four minutes after MSU pulled Arundell, Ross came through with her second goal of the game to tie the game at two. Ross's initial shot on goal was saved by Ananias, but she followed her shot and scored on the rebound.

Holding all momentum heading into overtime, the Spartans took three consecutive penalty corners to start the extra period. On the third penalty corner taken by freshman Aisha Osinga, Higgins dribbled past a Hoosier defender and scored the game-winner to keep the Spartans' season alive. Senior Madison O'Neill had the assist on Higgins' game-winning goal.

Quotable
Associate Head Coach Tamara Durante
"After a good week of training the team came out today and tried to implement some of the things we worked on. It was a great team effort and it was nice to convert on a few of our chances."

What's Next?
With a win, Michigan State advances to face the top-seeded Maryland Terrapins in the quarterfinals. The quarterfinal game will take place in College Park, Md. at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 28.

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Team Stats

Meredith Ross

Bailey Higgins

Madison O'Neill

Lia Sinisi

Players Mentioned

Jade Arundell

Aisha Osinga

Meredith Ross

Lia Sinisi

Players Mentioned

Jade Arundell

Aisha Osinga

Meredith Ross

Lia Sinisi