Michigan State University Athletics
Spartans Prepare for Weekend Set in Ohio
9/2/2009 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Sept. 2, 2009
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Rolf Manouk
EAST LANSING, Mich. - After registering a two-game split in the season-opening Champions Invitational hosted by Duke University, the Spartan field hockey team is preparing for a pair of weekend games in Athens, Ohio.
The Spartans recorded a 7-2 victory over Delaware in the opening round game before falling to No. 10 Duke in overtime, 3-2.
First on the docket for the Spartans, who enter the weekend as the nation's 8th-ranked team, will be a 1 p.m. Saturday matchup with the 14th-ranked American University Eagles at Ohio University's Pruitt Field. The Eagles, who are coming into the weekend with a 1-1 record after a victory at Richmond and a loss to Big Ten member Indiana, hold a 1-2-1 all-time series advantage over the Spartans. Leading the way for the Eagles will be junior Christine Fingerhuth who was voted Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week after recorded two goals on ten shots during the Eagles' weekend games.
The Spartans will face the Ohio University Bobcats in their second matchup of the weekend on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Bobcats, who come into weekend play at 0-2 after losses to Maryland and Big Ten member Northwestern, have only registered one all-time victory over the Spartans against 10 losses. Leading the way for the Bobcats will be senior Marcy Dull who notched a goal in the loss to Northwestern and was named an All-Mid-American Conference Tournament Team selection last season.
Last weekend, the Spartans were led by junior Jantine Steinmentz, who recorded three goals against Delaware and No. 10 Duke. Freshman Manouk Vernij recorded a hat trick in the Spartans' victory over Delaware and was recognized as a Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week. The Spartans also received solid play in goal from senior Elissa Unger who recorded nine saves over the two games.
The Spartans enter this weekend's play as the Big Ten leaders in several statistical categories including goals scored (9) and scoring average (5.98). The Spartans are also ranked second in the Big Ten in scoring margin with an impressive margin of 2.64.
"All the teams have improved from the first weekend to the second weekend," said Coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "We have to take care of our own business and it should be a good weekend for the Spartans."
Both of the Spartans' games this weekend will be available on gametracker which can be found on msuspartans.com.
