Pair of Spartans Garner Big Ten Weekly Honors
10/26/2009 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Oct. 26, 2009
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Coming off a weekend which saw them sweep a pair of Big Ten rivals and win their first outright Big Ten Regular Season Title in school history, a pair of Spartan field hockey players have been honored by the Big Ten Conference. Senior Floor Rijpma (Bunnik, Netherlands) was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for the third time this season (10/26, 9/28, 9/7) and the fourth time in her career. While, sophomore Holly Sherman (Vancouver, B.C.) takes home Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors for the first time in her career. Rijpma and Sherman's accolades give the Spartans a Big Ten Leading 10 Weekly Honors on the season.
"We're very excited for Floor and Holly," said head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "They continue to be important members of our team and we're happy they have been recognized by the Big Ten for their achievements."
Rijpma was a force for the Spartans' offense over the weekend, netting a goal in each of their two games. Rijpma scored the opening goal for the Spartans in their 2-1 victory over the 15th-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes on a beautiful diving backhand that beat the keeper high. Rijpma followed up her strong performance against the Buckeyes by scoring the game-winner against the Michigan Wolverines off a beautiful pass from junior Jantine Steinmetz (Amstelveen, Netherlands). With her two goals this weekend, Rijpma moved into third place in career goals scored at MSU with 51.
Sherman was also instrumental in MSU's two victories over the weekend. Sherman played all 140 minutes for a Spartan defense that limited Ohio State and Michigan to a goal apiece. Sherman also helped the Spartans run out the clock in their two victories by playing a key role in reversing the field and helping the team run precious seconds off the clock. Sherman becomes the second Spartan to take home Defensive Player of the Week honors on the season joining senior goalkeeper Elissa Unger (Reading, Pa.), a two-time recipient (10/12, 9/28).
"The Big Ten chose two great Spartans to be recognized this week," van de Kerkhof said. "Holly had a very solid weekend for us and has continued to improve on a week to week basis. Floor is a great player who had two big goals for us this weekend."
Rijpma, Sherman and the rest of the Spartans return to action this weekend when they travel to State College, Pa. for a noon Saturday matchup with Big Ten rival Penn State.
