Michigan State University
Old Dominion
No. 19 Michigan State Stopped by No. 16 Old Dominion
9/4/2015 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
EAST LANSING, Michigan - No. 19 Michigan State fell to No. 16 Old Dominion, 4-3, on Friday at Ralph Young Field. Despite scoring three goals, the Spartans were outshot 18-3 and move to 1-2 on the season.
"With one shot in the first half, it's really hard to win a game," head coach Helen Knull said. "We weren't executing. We've got to find ways to make adjustments through the play of the game and start getting more shots."
The Spartans were first to get on the board as redshirt sophomore Lauren Bonness executed off of a penalty corner in the 27th minute of the first half. Sophomore Sophie Macadre was credited with the assist on the goal that put the Spartans up 1-0.
Old Dominion answered back in the second half, scoring four-straight goals in a ten minute span to put the Monarchs in control. Alex Iqbal was the first to score for ODU, connecting off of a pass from Amie Olton in the 38th minute of regulation to tie the game. The effort was followed by Danielle Grega who scored off of another pass from Olton, giving the Monarchs a 2-1 lead in the 39th minute. Teisha King followed suit, adding another for the Monarchs in the 44th minute off of an assist from Grega. Sarah Breen was the final scorer of the day for ODU, notching an unassisted goal in the 47th minute of regulation to put the Spartans at their largest deficit, 4-1.
"When we got down 4-1, we finally just started to play our hockey," Knull said. "We have to find that from the first whistle. We can't wait. Somebody has to take charge and get it done."
The Spartans answered back in the 59th minute of regulation when senior Heather Howie converted off of a penalty corner for her first goal of the season. Bonness and redshirt sophomore Simone Vagnoni were each credited with an assist on the goal. MSU struck again just two minutes later as sophomore Grace Santi scored off of a pass from freshman Madison O'Neil in the 61st minute.
Despite the two late goals, the Spartans could not generate an equalizer and Old Dominion held on to win the 4-3 contest.
"I'm pleased that we got some goals back, but we've got to do that from the first whistle," Knull said. "We'll be ready to get back out there on Sunday against Kent State."
The Spartans are back in action at home on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 2 p.m. when they play host to Kent State. A neutral site game between Old Dominion and Kent State will take place Saturday, Sept. 5 at Ralph Young Field.
