Michigan State University
(4-3)
Indiana
(4-3)
No. 23 MSU Drops Big Ten Opener to Indiana, 4-2
9/20/2019 6:09:00 PM | Field Hockey
The No. 23-ranked Spartans drop to 4-3 on the season, while Indiana improves to 4-3. Freshman Nienke Bloemsaat recorded her team-best fourth goal of the season, while junior Meredith Ross added her second. Cara Bonshak tallied her fifth assist and sophomore goalkeeper Jade Arundell tallied four saves.
The Hoosiers got on the board first late in the first quarter when Maddie Boehm striped a pass from near midfield to Hailey Couch who turned around for a quick shot goal to go up 1-0. The Spartans answered right back at the 18th minute off a penalty corner. Bloemsaat, a freshman defender, shot a laser into the back of the cage with feeds from Aisha Osinga and Bonshak to knot the score at one.
Indiana tallied two goals in a span of two minutes to take a 3-1 lead into halftime. Couch scored her second goal on a fast break opportunity and notched her third on a tip from Mary Kate Kesler. The Hoosiers had seven penalty corners to MSU's one in the first half.
The Spartans came out in the third quarter with intensity on the defensive side, holding the Hoosiers to just two shots. Ross cut the lead to one at the 35th minute after a nice cross pass from Isa van der Weij, her second goal of the season.
In a game with eight green cards, the Spartans' late rally fell short as Indiana added a fourth goal in the 47th minute to seal the victory.
MSU outshot the Hoosiers 10 to three in the second half, with three penalty corners to just one for Indiana.
The Spartans return to Ralph Young Field on Sunday, Sept. 22 when they play host to Ball State. Game time is slated for 11:30 a.m.
Team Stats
COUCH,HAILEY
Assisted By: BOEHM,MADDIE
GOAL by IND COUCH,HAILEY (FIRST GOAL), Assist by BOEHM,MADDIE.
14:16
Bloemsaat, Nienke (4)
Assisted By: Osinga, Aisha , Bonshak, Cara
GOAL by MSU Bloemsaat, Nienke, Assist by Osinga, Aisha and Bonshak, Cara, goal number 4 for season.
17:24
COUCH,HAILEY
GOAL by IND COUCH,HAILEY.
24:56
COUCH,HAILEY
Assisted By: KESLER,MARY KATE
GOAL by IND COUCH,HAILEY, Assist by KESLER,MARY KATE.
26:55
Ross, Meredith (2)
Assisted By: van der Weij, Isa
GOAL by MSU Ross, Meredith, Assist by van der Weij, Isa, goal number 2 for season.
34:20
GIESE,KELSEY
Assisted By: JACKSON, Andi , HILL,VICTORIA
GOAL by IND GIESE,KELSEY, Assist by JACKSON, Andi and HILL,VICTORIA.
46:10
