Spartans Set for Rivalry Clash With #13 Michigan, Road Test at Ball State

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State field hockey faces a pivotal split weekend, opening Big Ten Conference play at home against rival No. 13-ranked Michigan at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September. 18, before traveling to Muncie, Indiana, for a non-conference matinee match against Ball State on Sunday, September 20.

The Spartans host the Wolverines in a nationally televised showdown on Big Ten Network at Ralph Young Field, then hit the road to battle the Cardinals at noon at the Briner Sports Complex.

SERIES HISTORY
Michigan
Friday's game marks the 84th meeting between Michigan State and Michigan on the turf. The Spartans trail the all-time series 25-51-7 and are searching for their first win against the Wolverines since a 2-1 road victory on Oct. 24, 2014. Michigan captured last season's meeting in Ann Arbor, while the Spartans look to conquer their first win over Michigan at Ralph Young Field since 2013, when MSU notched a 3-2 double overtime victory.

Ball State
The Spartans lead the all-time series against the Cardinals 15-13-2, highlighted by a dominant recent stretch. Michigan State has claimed six consecutive victories over Ball State, outscoring the Cardinals by a combined 38-12 margin across their last 10 meetings. The programs squared off last season, when the Spartans picked up a 5-1 victory at the Ball State Turf Field at the Briner Sports Complex.

ABOUT MICHIGAN
Michigan enters Friday's Big Ten opener ranked No. 13 nationally, with a 3-2 overall record under second year head coach Kristi Gannon Fisher, most recently falling 1-0 in a tight defensive battle against California on Sept. 11.

Offensively, the Wolverines are paced by forward Esmée de Willigen, who recorded a hat trick in Michigan's win over Vermont on Sept. 6th. The senior forward leads Michigan with three goals and six points on the season. Junior back Eva Bernardy is second on the team with two goals scored and five points recorded this season.

Between the pipes, the Wolverines are led by redshirt junior goalkeeper Hala Silverstein. Silverstein has started all five games in the cage for Michigan and has tallied seven saves on the season.

ABOUT BALL STATE
Ball State enters the weekend looking to regroup following consecutive non-conference setbacks against Big Ten opponents Iowa and Indiana. The Cardinals are guided by fifth-year head coach Caitlin Johnson, carry a 2-3 overall record into a two-game homestand that begins Friday against James Madison before welcoming the Spartans on Sunday.

Offensively, Ball State relies on junior midfielder Lauren Lewis, who paces the team with a team-leading seven points on two goals, two assists, and six points. Alongside Lewis, senior forward Julia Verratti provides additional scoring punch in the attacking third with one goal, three assists and five points.

Between the posts, senior goalkeeper Carleigh Hofelich anchors the backline, having tallied 42 saves and a .772 save percentage across five starting appearances this fall. Hofelich ranks third in the MAC in saves made (42), third in saves per game (8.40), and fifth in save percentage.

UP NEXT
Following Sunday's contest in Muncie, Michigan State remains on the road to resume Big Ten Conference play against No. 1 Northwestern on Friday, Sept. 25. The matchup is slated for a 4:00 p.m. start at Lakeside Field in Evanston, Illinois, and will be streamed live on B1G+.

Michigan State University Athletics

Spartans Set for Rivalry Clash With #13 Michigan, Road Test at Ball State

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