Michigan State University Athletics
Field Hockey Announces 2009 Schedule
7/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
July 6, 2009
2009 Field Hockey Schedule in PDF Format 
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State field hockey head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof has announced the Spartans' 2009 schedule. Eight opponents on the Spartans' 2009 schedule participated in last season's NCAA Tournament - Duke, Louisville, American, Syracuse, James Madison, Virginia, Iowa and Penn State.
"Our 2009 schedule will allow Spartan field hockey to be well prepared for Big Ten competition," said van de Kerkhof. "We will be facing several 2008 NCAA tournament teams which will provide a great challenge for our team this season. Overall, our opponents are well-balanced and should allow us to improve and fine-tune our strategies and set plays throughout the season, so that we are best prepared to compete in post-season competition."
An NCAA tournament qualifier last year, the Spartans will open their season at the Champions Invitational, hosted by Duke University, with first-round opponent Delaware on Aug. 29. The Spartans will then face either Duke or Louisville on Aug. 30, depending on the outcome of both games.
The Spartans' first eight matches will be on the road against opponents American (Sept. 5), Ohio (Sept. 6), Old Dominion (Sept. 12), Syracuse (Sept. 13), James Madison (Sept. 19) and Virginia (Sept. 20).
MSU will then return home to Ralph Young Field. MSU opens its home schedule against Big Ten opponent Northwestern on Sept. 25, and hosts Maine on Sept. 27.
Following the two matches at home, Michigan State will travel to Louisville, Ky., for games against Rutgers (Oct. 3) and Louisville (Oct. 4), before traveling to Indiana on Oct. 9 and Iowa on Oct. 16.
The Spartans will play host to non-conference opponent Central Michigan on Oct. 11, and Big Ten foes Ohio State (Oct. 23) and Michigan (Oct. 25). Michigan State concludes the regular season when it faces the defending Big Ten Champion Penn State on the road (Oct. 31).
MSU will play host to the 2009 Big Ten Field Hockey Championship Nov. 5-8. This is the first time the Spartan will host the tournament since 1998.
"We are very excited about the upcoming season," said van de Kerkhof. "In January we evaluated our 2008 season experiences and accomplishments. Since February we have been working very hard and developed in all areas as players, as a team and as a program. The fall will allow us to take the next step and show our improved program to ourselves and others, learn from our experiences, and move forward in achieving our 2009 team goals."
MSU will prepare for the regular season with a scrimmage against in-state rival Michigan on Saturday, Aug. 22 at home.
