Friday, August 24
East Lansing, Mich.
1 p.m.
Michigan State University
0
vs
2
Old Dominion
Field Hockey Bested in Regular Season Opener
8/24/2018 2:47:00 PM | Field Hockey
MSU fell to Old Dominion by a final score of 2-0.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State University field hockey team droppedits season opener on Friday, August 24 falling to Old Dominion University by a final score of 2-0. Senior Madison O'Neill paced the Spartan offense with two shots on goal during the contest.
With a loss MSU falls to 0-1 on the season while the Monarchs improved to 1-0.
Old Dominion bested the Spartans in shot attempts (11-9) and in shots on goal (8-4). The Monarchs held a sizable 7-3 advantage in penalty corner attempts.
Michigan State saw chances in front of the goal early with sophomore Lia Sinisi and freshman Isa van der Weij each narrowly missing goals in the first three minutes of action.
A seventh minute penalty corner for the Monarchs spelled trouble for MSU however as Erin Huffman corralled a deflected shot and placed it past the outstretched Spartan goalkeeper Jade Arundell.
MSU went through a cold stretch on offense before O'Neill broke the spell with a shot on goal in the 26th minute. O'Neill's shot briefly ignited the Spartan offense, leading to a pair of penalty corners for freshman Aisha Osinga and another shot for van der Weij.
The Michigan State defense was challenged to end the first half, blocking away back-to-back shots off penalty corners in the final seconds.
Both sides started the second half cautiously recording just one shot apiece in the opening 19 minutes of action. Old Dominion finally broke through the Spartans' back line in the 55th minute as Amie Olton capitalized on a saved shot that was deflected back into the field of play to give the Monarchs a 2-0 lead.
O'Neill and sophomore Meredith Ross combined for the Spartans best chance of the afternoon in the 62nd minute, but Monarch goalkeeper Kealsie Robles made saves on both attempts.
Quotable
"We had opportunities, we had the possession, we just couldn't get the finishing touch in," said Michigan State head coach Helen Knull. "We competed for 70 minutes which was great, we really didn't have any letdown which I always take as a positive. We managed to maintain possession and have the ball in our favor for longer which is a good thing because we can control the pace of play."
Spartan Stats Leaders
Shots: van der Weij (3), Osinga (2), O'Neill (2)
Shots On Goal: O'Neill (2), Ross (1), Osinga (1)
Saves: Arundell (6)
What's Next?
Michigan State continues a busy weekend schedule with a 1 p.m. home game against Kent State University on Sunday, August 26. Kent State will make its season debut against Old Dominion on Saturday, August 25 at Ralph Young Field for a neutral site match. The Golden Flashes finished their 2017-18 slate with a 9-10 record alongside an upset over then No. 23-ranked Ohio State.
With a loss MSU falls to 0-1 on the season while the Monarchs improved to 1-0.
Old Dominion bested the Spartans in shot attempts (11-9) and in shots on goal (8-4). The Monarchs held a sizable 7-3 advantage in penalty corner attempts.
Michigan State saw chances in front of the goal early with sophomore Lia Sinisi and freshman Isa van der Weij each narrowly missing goals in the first three minutes of action.
A seventh minute penalty corner for the Monarchs spelled trouble for MSU however as Erin Huffman corralled a deflected shot and placed it past the outstretched Spartan goalkeeper Jade Arundell.
MSU went through a cold stretch on offense before O'Neill broke the spell with a shot on goal in the 26th minute. O'Neill's shot briefly ignited the Spartan offense, leading to a pair of penalty corners for freshman Aisha Osinga and another shot for van der Weij.
The Michigan State defense was challenged to end the first half, blocking away back-to-back shots off penalty corners in the final seconds.
Both sides started the second half cautiously recording just one shot apiece in the opening 19 minutes of action. Old Dominion finally broke through the Spartans' back line in the 55th minute as Amie Olton capitalized on a saved shot that was deflected back into the field of play to give the Monarchs a 2-0 lead.
O'Neill and sophomore Meredith Ross combined for the Spartans best chance of the afternoon in the 62nd minute, but Monarch goalkeeper Kealsie Robles made saves on both attempts.
Quotable
"We had opportunities, we had the possession, we just couldn't get the finishing touch in," said Michigan State head coach Helen Knull. "We competed for 70 minutes which was great, we really didn't have any letdown which I always take as a positive. We managed to maintain possession and have the ball in our favor for longer which is a good thing because we can control the pace of play."
Spartan Stats Leaders
Shots: van der Weij (3), Osinga (2), O'Neill (2)
Shots On Goal: O'Neill (2), Ross (1), Osinga (1)
Saves: Arundell (6)
What's Next?
Michigan State continues a busy weekend schedule with a 1 p.m. home game against Kent State University on Sunday, August 26. Kent State will make its season debut against Old Dominion on Saturday, August 25 at Ralph Young Field for a neutral site match. The Golden Flashes finished their 2017-18 slate with a 9-10 record alongside an upset over then No. 23-ranked Ohio State.
Players Mentioned
Goalkeeper
/ Field Hockey
Forward
/ Field Hockey
Forward
/ Field Hockey
Forward
/ Field Hockey
Forward/Midfield
/ Field HockeySpartans All-Access | Senior Reflections
Tuesday, November 12
Inspiring The Spartans | Spartans All-Access
Wednesday, September 18
Spartans All-Access | Making Each Other Better
Wednesday, August 21
Spartans All-Access: Ashley Harlock
Thursday, November 02