Spartans Cruise in Victory over Merrimack

BURLINGTON, Vt. - Michigan State field hockey finished its road trip on Saturday afternoon, defeating Merrimack by a final score of 7-1 from Moulton Winder Field.

MSU improves to to 3-2 on the season ahead of yet another road trip next weekend where it will take on Michigan and Miami (Ohio).

The Spartans out-shot Merrimack 27-1 overall and 17-1 in shots on goal, attempting 14 penalty corners to just one for the Warriors.

Michigan State got goals from seven unique scorers in the contest. Graduate student Maddie Lawlor, freshman Caroline Horace, junior Brynn Shaffer, graduate student Tatum Johnson, junior Katelyn Dulin, freshman Ellie Kendall and senior Bianca Pizano all scored. Kendall was the Spartan leader with six total shots and four placed on goal.

Redshirt junior Alexa Shaffer and sophomore Caro Schafer each tallied two assists apiece, while Brynn Shaffer, junior Serena Mailhe and sophomores Mora Cavazza and Lilian Knorr earned one assist each.

Sophomore Ashley Herbert made the start in goal where she improved to 2-0 on the season. Herbert faced just one shot on goal in Saturday's contest.

MSU wasted no time getting into the swing of things offensively attempting two penalty corners within the first minute of regulation. Just 55 seconds into the game, Lawlor capitalized on a corner scoring on a strike from the top of the circle.

The Spartans added two more goals late in the first period to take a 3-0 lead into the second. Horace scored off a deflection in the 14th minute and Brynn Shaffer found paydirt via deflection with just six seconds remaining in the period.

Michigan State put five shots on goal in the second period, increasing its advantage to 4-0 before halftime. In the 30th minute, Cavazza fired a shot on goal that was saved, but Johnson was there to collect the rebound for her first goal as a Spartan.

MSU took a game-high nine shots in the third, increasing its lead to 5-0 when Dulin dribbled the ball inside the top of the circle and fired a strike into the back of the goal from distance.

The Spartan attack continued to pressure the Merrimack defense forcing a penalty corner in the 53rd minute. Schafer and Alexa Shaffer provided Kendall with a perfect look where she capitalized for her first collegiate goal, while increasing the Spartan lead to 6-0.

Michigan State capped off an impressive offense afternoon with a seventh goal in the 57th minute of play. Knorr sent a shot on goal after a penalty corner, but Pizano was there to deflect the ball into the back of the net.

Merrimack added its lone shot and goal of the contest in the 58th minute of action. Warrior goalkeeper Isabelle Gardiner made seven saves with fellow keeper Kayla Whitters adding three.

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Team Stats

Brynn Shaffer

Ellie Kendall

Bianca Pizano

Maddie Lawlor

Players Mentioned

Mora Cavazza

Katelyn Dulin

Ashley Herbert

Caroline Horace

Tatum Johnson

Ellie Kendall

Lilian Knorr

Maddie Lawlor

Serena Mailhe

Bianca Pizano

Caro Schafer

Alexa Shaffer

Brynn Shaffer