Field Hockey Kicks Off Big Ten Tournament Thursday
11/5/2014 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
EAST LANSING, Mich. - No. 19 Michigan State field hockey opens up Big Ten Tournament play on Thursday this week as the fifth seed in the tournament, taking on fourth-seeded Penn State at 12:30 in Ann Arbor, Mich. The game will be televised live on BTN plus (subscription required). All tournament long, updates can be found on the official homepage of the 2014 Big Ten Tournament at http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-fieldh/spec-rel/big-ten-2014.html.
The Spartans concluded the regular season with a 10-8 record and 4-4 mark in Big Ten play, finishing tied for fifth in the conference with Iowa. Because of a head-to-head victory over the Hawkeyes, MSU earned the fifth seed in the tournament rather than the sixth seed. The winner of Thursday's matchup will go on to face the winner of Maryland vs. Ohio State on Friday at 1 p.m.Last season, the Spartans caught fire at the right time, sweeping their way through the Big Ten Tournament for their first tournament title since 2009. Entering the tournament as the three seed, MSU took out Indiana 6-0 before winning a thrilling double overtime game vs. Ohio State to reach the final. In the title game, Michigan State scored three unanswered goals after falling into a 2-0 first half deficit to come back and defeat Iowa, 3-2 and earn an NCAA Tournament bid.
Opponent Breakdown - Penn StatePenn State earned a 2-1 victory over the Spartans earlier this season when they came into East Lansing as the nation's seventh ranked team. The Nittany Lions scored a pair of goals in two minutes during the first half to take down MSU in its Big Ten home opener.
Historically, Penn State has had the upper hand over Michigan State, owning a 27-10 advantage in the all-time series, including wins in the last five contests. However, the last two meetings between the schools have been decided by just one goal, with a double overtime game last year in which a Penn State defender saved a ball off the goal line that was rolling into an empty net that would have won the game for MSU.
MSU NotesUnder head coach Helen Knull, the Spartans are 3-2 in the Big Ten Tournament, highlighted by a Big Ten Tournament Championship in 2013. MSU is also 6-3 in the month of November under Knull.
Michigan State is no stranger to close contests, as the Spartans have been to overtime seven times, going 4-3 in those games. 12 of 18 games this season have been decided by one goal, with MSU splitting those decisions, going 6-6. The Spartans relished in role as comeback kids early on in the season, as they trailed in six of their first eight victories. Despite their ability to come back in games, MSU has enjoyed striking first, going 5-0 this season in games where it takes a 1-0 lead.
MSU's 121 saves are the most in the Big Ten, resulting in a 6.72 saves per game average that ranks 17th in the nation.Sierra Patton had the tough task of replacing four-year starter Molly Cassidy this season, but has risen to the challenge. In Patton's first season as the Michigan State starter, she started in all 18 games in net for the Spartans, ranking second in the Big Ten in saves (108) while her 6.00 saves per game ranks 19th nationally. She recorded her first career shutout with a 10-save effort against No.12 Iowa (10/17) and another one vs. Central Michigan (10/26). 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 seven defense saves are the second most in the Big Ten. Helwig has tallied a goal in three of the last five games and the Spartans are 5-1 in games that Helwig records a goal this season, including wins over ranked opponents No. 12 Iowa (10/17) and No.12 Michigan (10/24).Senior forward Abby Barker ended the season as the only one in the Big Ten who finished in the top five in points, goals, and assists. Barker was third in points (40), tied for fifth in goals (14), and fifth in assists (12).
She has tallied both a goal and an assist in eight games so far this season and has recorded a point in all but four games. Nationally, Barker ranks 10th in points per game (2.22) and 20th in goals per game (0.78).So far this season, there has been a stark contrast in Michigan State's offense in wins and losses. In MSU's 10 wins, the team is averaging 3.6 goals per game as opposed to just 1.13 goals per game in losses.
MSU has tallied 37 assists on 45 goals, leading to a 7.06 points per game average that is 26th in the nation.Allie Ahern has the second most goals (8) and points (20) on the team, while her 70 shots are the fourth most in the Big Ten. The Spartans are 6-0 when Ahern scores a goal.
The Spartans have played nine ranked opponents this season at the time of the game and are just 2-7 in those games, but have won the two of the last three vs. No. 12 Iowa (10/17) and No. 12 Michigan (10/24).Seven different Spartans have started in all 18 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.
The Spartans are a senior dominated team, with six girls who have been consistent starters in the their time at Michigan State. The 2014 seniors have played in a combined 450 games, starting in 382. This group has won 41 games, including a Big Ten Tournament Championship and Elite 8 run last season. This season, Michigan State's four top scorers are seniors and the six seniors combine for 99 of the team's 127 points.Last week, Abby Barker earned her second Big Ten Player of the Week nomination by the conference office this year.
All-Big Ten SelectionsAbby Barker and Becky Stiles were named to the All-Big Ten teams, as announced by the Conference office on Wednesday. Senior forward Barker was a First Team selection for the third year in a row, while senior midfielder Stiles was a Second Team pick for the second consecutive year. Barker has now been an All-Big Ten selection every season at MSU, after being named to the Second Team her freshman year, followed by three straight First Team selections. Stiles was also recognized as MSU's Sportsmanship Award Honoree.
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 40 points on the season has vaulted her into sole possession of fourth place all-time with 136 points. Barker needs two more points to move into a tie for third place with Floor Rijpma (2006-09). She would need 14 more points to move into a tie for second with Nance Lyons (1975-78). Her 40 points also enters her into the top 10 all-time at MSU for points in a single season.
Playing the Best
Michigan State has played nine ranked teams so far this season, including five ranked in the top 10 at the time of the game. Penn State is ranked fifth in this week's poll and will be the 10th ranked team the Spartans play this season and sixth top-10 team. MSU's regular season schedule featured seven of the 20 teams that appear in this week's NFHCA poll. Including 19th ranked Michigan State, the Big Ten has six teams ranked in this week's poll, including Maryland (2nd), Penn State (5th), Northwestern (10th), Michigan (12th), and Iowa (15th).
The winner of Thursday's matchup will advance to the semifinal to take on the winner of No.1 Maryland vs. No. 8 Ohio State in the second round on Friday at 1 p.m. Both semifinal games along with the championship will be televised live on Big Ten Network.
