Field Hockey Wins 3-2 In Exhibition Game With Michigan

Aug. 20, 2005

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State field hockey hosted Michigan in a pre-season exhibition game Saturday morning with the Spartans coming out on top 3-2.

The format for Saturday's game was different than regular contests as the two teams opted to play three periods, the first consisting of 35 minutes and the last two of 20.

The two teams traded goals for the initial first three periods, knotting the score at two, forcing a sudden death overtime. Sophomore forward Becky Manning (Brighton, Mich.) tallied the first goal for the Spartans on senior Michelle Huynh-Ba's (Hockessin, Del.) assist. Junior forward Ashley Smeltzer (New Castle, Del.) was credited with the second, unassisted.

Junior forward Ashley Pernicano (San Diego, Calif.) struck in overtime, ending the session 3-2 in the Spartan's favor. Senior back Breanna Harpstead (West Chester, Pa.) recorded the assist.

The Spartans will hope to use Saturday's exhibition game as momentum going into next week's season opener with Boston University. "We're happy we did this game, it gave us a chance to play people in different positions. It gave us an opportunity to see what we need to keep practicing on and what some of our strengths are," head coach Michele Madison commented.

Michigan State will face Boston University Saturday, Aug. 27 in Louisville, Ky., at the Champions Invitational.