April 17, 2008

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Michigan State field hockey team wrapped up Midwest Spring League play last weekend, competing in tournaments at Miami University and the Ohio State University. MSU won two of three in Miami, then split a pair at Ohio State. The Spartans finished Midwest Spring League play with a record 5-2, and had an overall mark of 13-2-1 in the spring, as they were named Midwest Spring League champions for the second-consecutive season.

"It's been an excellent three months of individual and team development and improvement, and we have our Midwest Spring League championship to show for it," said MSU head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "It's just a confirmation that our young team continues to grow and we've taken Spartan field hockey to another level compared to last fall."

Michigan State began the weekend at Miami University on Saturday, April 12, starting slow, as it dropped its first game of the spring, 2-1, to the RedHawks. The Spartans rebounded quickly, however, taking out Central Michigan, 2-0, then routing Big Ten rival Northwestern, 6-0.

On Sunday, the Spartans traveled to Ohio State for matchups with Kent State and the Buckeyes. The Golden Flashes avenged a 2-1 loss to MSU two weekends ago in Louisville, Ky., taking out the Spartans with a 2-1 victory of their own. But Michigan State ended the spring season on a high note, as they nipped the Buckeyes, 3-2, in the afternoon game.

Goal scorers on the weekend included Michelle Ciliberti, Jeamie Deacon, Chantae Miller, Angela Pagura, Floor Rijpma and Gwen Riley.