MSU Field Hockey Posts First Win Of The Season

Sept. 3, 2006

PHILADELPHIA - Michigan State freshman Anne-Sophie van Rijswijk scored on a corner with 18 seconds in regulation to force overtime, as the Michigan State field hockey team battled its way to victory Sunday afternoon, defeating host Temple 2-1. Freshman Floor Rijpma scored the game-winner for the Spartans in the second overtime period to give MSU its first win of the season. The victory is the first collegiate win for first-year head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof .Senior goalkeeper Stephanie Yuhasz assisted the Spartan defense in holding off the Owls with seven saves in 94 minutes of action.

Temple (2-1) took the lead early in the first half on a penalty corner by Alli Lokey at 18:01. The score remained 1-0 for the rest of the first half and almost the entire second half. Michigan State (1-3) knotted the score 1-1 at 69:42 to send the game into overtime on a corner by freshman Anne-Sophie van Rijswijk, with assists by Charlotte van der Laag and Amy Schnieder on the goal.

Although unable to create shots in the first overtime, Michigan State was able to block three shots by the Owls to force the game into a second overtime. Freshman Floor Rijpma scored the game winner for the Green and White at 94:04 to give Michigan State its first win of the season.

"I told the girls they needed to get a bonfire going with their play that could be seen in downtown Philly," said MSU head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof, who notched the first win of his collegiate coaching career with the win over Temple. "They did exactly as I asked and showed up ready to compete. We executed everything and made a step forward in our development today."

The Spartans will return to action at 4 p.m. on Friday at James Madison.