Field Hockey Ready For In-State Opponents
10/23/2014 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
EAST LANSING, Mich.-Michigan State (8-7, 3-4) takes on a pair of in-state opponents this weekend - No. 12 Michigan and Central Michigan. The Spartans will play archrival Michigan on Friday at 3:30 p.m. on the Big Ten Network, followed by playing host to Central Michigan on Sunday at noon.
Opponent Breakdown
Michigan
The Wolverines hold a 34-24-7 advantage in the all-time series between the two schools. Michigan has won three of the last four meetings, but it was the Spartans that were victorious in last year's matchup in East Lansing.
Senior forward Emy Guttman is coming of a week in which she earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week alongside goalkeeper Sam Swenson ,who earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week. Michigan is led offensively by Leslie Smith's 11 goals and Ainsley McCallister's Big Ten-leading 16 assists. In net, Swenson owns a 1.33 GAA and .705 save percentage.
Central Michigan
The Chippewas enter the weekend 6-9 overall, but hold a 5-0 record in MAC play. MSU hosted CMU in an exhibition game to start the season, coming away with a 5-1 victory. The Spartans own a 42-14-4 all-time record against Central Michigan, having won the last six meetings.
MSU Notes
After a long road trip that included nine of 11 games on the road in the heart of the season, the Spartans will remain in the state of Michigan for the remainder of their schedule. After two games at home last weekend, the Spartans only remaining road game is Friday in Ann Arbor. MSU returns home for its final two games of the season before heading back to Ann Arbor for the Big Ten Tournament.
The Spartans have relished in role as comeback kids, as they have trailed in six of their eight victories and are outscoring opponents 21-13 after halftime. MSU has been scored on first in 12 of 15 games this season and are 3-0 when getting on the board first.
The Spartans have played seven ranked opponents this season at the time of the game and are just 1-6, with the only win coming against No.12 Iowa last Friday.
MSU's 112 saves are the most in the Big Ten, resulting in a 7.47 saves per game average that ranks 13th in the nation.
Sierra Patton had the tough task of replacing four-year starter Molly Cassidy this season, but has risen to the challenge. Patton has started all 15 games in net for the Spartans, is the Big Ten leader in saves (102) and her 6.80 saves per game ranks 12th nationally. Last weekend, she recorded her first career shutout with a 10-save effort against No.12 Iowa. Her 13 saves vs. No. 18 Indiana were her career-high and she has recorded double-digit saves in three games this season.
Alli Helwig's four defense saves are the second most in the Big Ten. Helwig tallied a goal in both of MSU's games last weekend, including one off of a penalty stroke vs. Iowa. The Spartans are 4-1 in games that Helwig records a goal.
So far this season, there has been a stark contrast in Michigan State's offense in wins and losses. In MSU's eight wins, the team is averaging 4.00 goals per game as opposed to just 1.14 goals per game in losses.
MSU has tallied 33 assists on 40 goals, leading to a 7.53 points per game average that is 24th in the nation.
Abby Barker is the only player in the Big Ten to rank in the top five in goals, points, and assists. Barker is tied for fifth in both goals (12) and assists (11), and sits in third place in points (35). She has tallied both a goal and an assist in eight games so far this season and has recorded a point in all but three games. Nationally, Barker ranks eighth in points per game (2.23) and 16th in goals per game (0.80).
Allie Ahern has the second most goals (7) and points (17) on the team, while her 66 shots are the third most in the Big Ten.
Michigan State is no stranger to close contests, as the Spartans have been to overtime seven times, going 4-3 in those games. Ten of 15 games this season have been decided by one goal, with MSU splitting those decisions, 5-5.
Seven different Spartans have started in all 15 games, five of which are seniors (Abby Barker, Becky Stiles, Alli Helwig, Michelle Graham, Jenni Smith). The other two are redshirt freshman back Simone Vagnoni and redshirt sophomore goalie Sierra Patton.
Record Book Watch
Abby Barker is moving up the list for career points in Michigan State's record book. After starting the year in ninth place with 96 points, Barker's 35 points on the season has vaulted her into sole possession of fourth place all-time with 131 points. Barker needs seven more points to move into a tie for third place with Floor Rijpma (2006-09). She would need 19 more points to move into a tie for second with Nance Lyons (1975-78).
Barker's 57 career goals rank fourth at Michigan State in that category. Nance Lyons (1975-78) sits in first place with 75, while Annebet Beerman (2001-04) is second with 61. Currently, Barker is chasing third place - Floor Rijpma's 60 career goals.
Playing the Best
Michigan State has played seven ranked teams so far this season, including four ranked in the top 10 at the time of the game. MSU's schedule features nine of the 20 teams that appear in this week's NFHCA poll.
The Big Ten has six teams ranked in this week's poll, including Maryland (2nd), Penn State (4th), Northwestern (9th), Michigan (12th), Iowa (15th), and Indiana (19th). MSU will face four 2013 NCAA Tournament teams this season, including two of the four participants from last year's Final Four weekend (Maryland, and runner-up Duke). The Spartans face nine teams in their 18-game schedule that ended the 2013 season ranked in the top 25.
Up Next
MSU wraps up the regular season next weekend at home on Saturday when it takes on No. 7 Louisville at 1 p.m. at Ralph Young Field. The Spartans' six seniors will be recognized before the game for their hard work and dedication to the program in their time at Michigan State.
