Michigan State University
(4-2, 0-1B1G)
Bellarmine
(1-7, 1-0MAC)
Spartans Score Three Straight to Top Bellarmine, 3-1
9/18/2022 4:35:00 PM | Field Hockey
EAST LANSING, Mich. — After a slow start, Michigan State used a strong third quarter to claim a 3-1 victory over Bellarmine Sunday afternoon at Ralph Young Field.
The Spartans and Knights battled back-and-forth for the first quarter, with Bellarmine striking first after Peyton Hobson passed to Julia Doornebos for a successful penalty corner goal in the seventh minute. The Spartans recorded a 4-2 shot advantage in the quarter but were unable to get on the board.
Bellarmine held the 1-0 advantage throughout the second quarter until Isa van der Weij converted on a penalty corner on assists from Ashley Harlock and Ellie Wheatley as time expired in the half. The goal, van der Weij's second of the season, knotted the game at 1-1 heading into halftime.
The Spartans' offense picked up in the third quarter, as Ellie Rutherford passed to Lulu Fulton on a breakaway for Fulton's second goal of the season in the 39th minute. The Spartans followed with another goal less than a minute later when Harlock scored off a Bellarmine save. Hannah Jarvie added her first assist of the season on Harlock's goal, Harlock's first of the season.
Michigan State and Bellarmine both recorded four shot attempts in the fourth quarter but were unable to score as the Spartans hung on for a 3-1 victory.
The Spartans held a 21-13 advantage in shots and 11-8 advantage in penalty corners in Sunday's game. Goalkeeper Monique Jardell made another 60-minute appearance in goal, recording four saves. Van der Weij and senior defender Celina Riccardo recorded a team-high four shots each, while midfielder Merel Hanssen recorded three.
"It was great for us to bounce back in the win column today," said Spartans' head coach Helen Knull. "Bellarmine came out strong and scored first, however, Isa's goal going into halftime was clutch for momentum. We made some adjustments at the half that led to two more goals in the third quarter, which allowed us to relax a little. We will evaluate, reset, and get ready to head on the road this week for two conference games."
Michigan State hits the road for a pair of Big Ten matchups next week, facing No. 6 Penn State on Friday, Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. before traveling to No. 3 Maryland on Sunday, Sept. 25 for a 1 p.m. game. Both games will stream on B1G+.
Team Stats
Julia Doornebos
Assisted By: Peyton Hobson
Off penalty corner
7:56
van der Weij, Isa (2)
Assisted By: Harlock, Ashley , Wheatley, Ellie
Off penalty corner
30:00
Fulton, Lulu (2)
Assisted By: Rutherford, Ellie
Breakaway goal
39:59
Harlock, Ashley (1)
Assisted By: Jarvie, Hannah
Goal scored off save
40:41
