Michigan State University Athletics
Field Hockey's Kirkaldy Named National Rookie of the Week
11/11/2002 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Nov. 11, 2002
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Michigan State field hockey goalkeeper Christina Kirkaldy (Afton, N.Y.) was named the National Rookie of the Week by womensfieldhockey.com on Monday, Nov. 11 after backstopping the Spartans to the first Big Ten Tournament title in program history. Teammate Annebet Beerman (Maarssen, Netherlands) also was tabbed by the website and named to their weekly honor roll.
Kirkaldy posted two shutouts in three games as Michigan State swept past the competition for its first tournament title. The first-year netminder also led a defensive effort that held top-seeded Michigan scoreless for only the second time this season. Kirkaldy posted a three-game goals-against-average of 0.67, allowing just two goals in over 200 minutes of action. Kirkaldy made a weekend-high eight stops against Penn State in the semi-final round on Saturday, Nov. 9. This is Kirkaldy's second National Rookie of the Week honor.
Beerman provided much of the Spartans' offense during the tournament, scoring five of the nine MSU goals and adding an assist on another. All of Beerman's goals came from the penalty corner, as she posted two multiple goal games. Beerman registered a team-high 11 points over the tournament. Against Penn State, Beerman was nearly perfect, scoring on two of three shot attempts and earning the assist on her third attempt.
The Spartans' season will continue on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the NCAA Tournament. Team pairings and locations will be announced tomorrow (Nov. 12) at 8 p.m.
