Michigan State University
Virginia
Spartans fall to Virginia, 3-0
9/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Sept. 20, 2009
Charlottesville, Va. - Fifth-ranked Virginia used a three-goal first half and solid play in goal from Kim Kastuk to defeat the eighth-ranked Spartans, 3-0 Sunday afternoon in Charlottesville. Tara Puffenberger had a pair of goals and an assist for the Cavaliers.
Michigan State fell behind early when Virginia's Paige Selenski took a pass from Puffenberger and fired it into the back of the net less than three minutes into the game. The Spartans and Cavaliers played back-and-forth hockey with both team generating scoring chances during the middle of the frame, but the Cavaliers added two late Puffenberger goals to push their lead to 3-0 entering halftime.
The second half saw MSU come out strong and record several scoring opportunities but Katsuk proved to be up to the challenge turning aside all of the Spartans' scoring efforts en route to her fifth shutout on the season.
The Spartans, who drop to 5-3 on the season, return to action next week when they host Northwestern on Friday and Maine on Sunday.
