Field Hockey Opens B1G Play at #8 Michigan

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State field hockey makes its third road trip in a both this weekend traveling to Ann Arbor, Mich. to face intrastate rival and No. 8-ranked Michigan on Friday, September 19 at 6 p.m. Following Friday's contest at Michigan, the Spartans hit the road again heading to Oxford, Ohio to face off against Miami (Ohio) on Sunday, September 21 at 1 p.m.

Friday's game against Michigan will be streamed live on B1G+.

SERIES HISTORY
MSU trails the all-time series against Michigan 25-50-7, which includes a 10-23-4 mark when playing on the road. The two schools last met at Ralph Young Field on September 23, 2024, where Michigan won 3-0. Last time in Ann Arbor, MSU was defeated in double overtime, 1-0.

The Spartans lead the all-time series against Miami (Ohio), 18-9-1. Michigan State defeated Miami last season in overtime, 2-1, off an Ellie Rutherford game-winner.

ABOUT MICHIGAN
Michigan enters the weekend boasting a 4-1 record, with its lone loss coming against the No. 2-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels in the season opener, 3-0. The Wolverines are 1-1 against nationally ranked opponents, defeating now No. 20-ranked Wake Forest, 2-1, two days after falling to North Carolina. Both Michigan State and Michigan have faced Bellarmine this season, in which both schools recorded wins by scores of 7-0 and 13-0, respectively.

The Wolverines are led offensively by graduate forward, Abby Tamer. Tamer leads Michigan in goals scored (4), points (10), shots taken (22) and shots on goal (12). Goalkeepers sophomore Hala Silverstein and graduate Caylie McMahon have split time in goal evenly this season. McMahon boats the better goals against average (0.80) and save percentage (.750) of the two.

ABOUT MIAMI OHIO
Miami (Ohio) enters the weekend with a 3-2 record. The RedHawks started the season 3-0 but fell to nationally ranked Big Ten opponents in No. 15-ranked Iowa (3-1) and top-ranked Northwestern (5-1).

The RedHawks are led offensively led by freshman midfielder, Malena Sabez. Sabez has leads the teams in goals (4), points (8), shots (17) and shots on goal (9). Defensively, Miami (Ohio) is led by senior goalkeeper, Nicky Sjouken. Sjouken has been the lone goalkeeper in net for the RedHawks this season, facing 26 shots and making 16 saves, good for a 2.00 goal against and a .615 save percentage.

PREVIOUSLY FOR THE SPARTANS
The Spartans went 1-1 last weekend, falling 3-2 to Vermont on Friday, September 12 before cruising to a 7-1 win over Merrimack on Saturday, September 13. MSU tied the game 2-2 with the Catamounts in the second half, scoring a pair of man-up goals and had chances to convert the game-tying goal late. Against Merrimack, the Spartans got seven goals, each from a unique goal scorer en route to victory.

UP NEXT
Michigan State continues its stretch of road games next week traveling to State College, Pennsylvania to take on No. 16-ranked Penn State on Friday, September 26 at 4 p.m. Friday's game will be televised nationally on Big Ten Network. Following the B1G meeting with Penn State, MSU will travel to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania to take on Bucknell at noon on Sunday, September 28.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Ellie Rutherford