Michigan State University
Boston University (Champions Invitational)
Field Hockey Wins Season Opener against Boston University
8/27/2005 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Aug. 27, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State field hockey came from behind to beat Boston University 4-3 in overtime on Saturday, Aug. 27, winning its season opener at the Champions Invitational, hosted by University of Louisville.
Boston Unviversity's Sarah Shute did everything in her power to steal the game away from the MSU, but a determined Spartan team, led by their senior class, wouldn't call it quits.
Senior Michelle Huynh-Ba lit up the board for the Spartans 1-0, wasting no time recording her first goal of the season, scoring unassisted at the 4:35 mark.
That lead would stand most of the first period, until Shute showed how dangerous of a player she is. The Terrier sophomore answered at 23:23, and again 22 seconds later, giving BU a 2-1 advantage.
Senior Jessica Miller evened the score in the second half but less than 10 minutes later, Shute turned the momentum once again, recording a hat trick, and putting the Terriers back on top 3-2.
A relentless Spartan would not roll over and caught a break with the clock bearing down. State capitalized on a penalty corner as senior Jessica Miller put one by BU's Patty Morrison, knotting the game at three at 63:13. Senior Breanna Harpstead and freshman Inge Kaars Sijpestijn each recorded an assist on the play.
Senior Maggie Giddens gave Michigan State the victory in overtime, cracking the game-winner at 78:21, off junior Ashley Pericano's assist.
"There are a lot of things we need to work on, but we got the ball in the circle and created scoring opportunities," stated head coach Michele Madison. "This game really showed the character of this team; they never gave up and our senior class really stepped up."
Senior Christina Kirkaldy manned the net for the Spartans, notching four saves. Michigan State out-shot BU, 19-12.
In a rematch of last year's championship game, State will face Duke tomorrow in the final at 2 p.m. MSU defeated the Blue Devils 4-1 last year, taking the Champions Cup, but would fall to Duke 5-2, when the two met in the Final Four. Boston and Louisville will play in the consolation game at 11:30 a.m.
