Spartans Take on Columbia and No. 8 Louisville
9/8/2016 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State field hockey team is set for a pair of games this weekend at Ralph Young Field. The Spartans will take on Columbia on Friday at 3 p.m. and No. 8 Louisville on Sunday at 2 p.m. There will be an additional neutral-site game on Sunday at 12 p.m. between Columbia and Central Michigan before the MSU vs. Louisville game.
The Spartans enter the weekend with a 3-1 record, riding a three-game winning streak after dropping the season opener. MSU is outscoring its opponents 20-4 during the current streak.
"Since last weekend, we have been focusing on rebounding and positioning in the circle so we can get more out of our attacking opportunities and also a continued focus on pressuring the ball carrier from all angles," said head coach Helen Knull. "Executing our attack corners and giving up fewer defensive corners is going to be key for both opponents this weekend. We have been consistently winning corners and it is now about executing the opportunities."
Midfielder Kendal Anderson is off to a hot start, as she leads the Big Ten in points (18) and goals (7), while tied atop the conference with four assists. Anderson has already topped career highs in all scoring categories.
Anderson tallied 10 points last weekend, including a first-half hat trick against Central Michigan and was named Longstreth/NFHCA Offensive Player of the Week and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for her efforts.
Five different Spartans have already tallied multiple goals this season. After Anderson, Kristin Matula is second on the team with four goals, Sophie Macadré and Megan Fenton each have three, while Shelby Supica has added two.
Katie Miller has started all four games in net for the Spartans, owning a 1.80 GAA and .667 save percentage.
Columbia brings a 1-1 record to East Lansing after losing to UMass and defeating Holy Cross last weekend. Katie Ruesterholz leads the team with seven points, and the senior notched a hat trick in the win over Holy Cross. Freshman Louisa Hollander is second on the team with two goals and was selected as the Ivy League Rookie of the Week.
Friday's matchup will be just the second all-time meeting between the two schools, with the Lions winning 3-2 last season.
Louisville enters the weekend ranked eighth in the current Penn Monto/NFHCA Division I Coaches Poll. The Cardinals will be the first ranked opponent the Spartans play this season, but seven opponents on MSU's upcoming schedule are featured in this week's national survey.
The Cardinals are 4-0 on the season and are led by Minout Mink, who has scored five goals this season. Senior Lotta Kahlert is the reigning ACC Offensive Player of the Week and is second on the team with four goals and nine points. Ayeisha McFerran is the likely starter in net for the Cardinals, as she has three starts and has allowed just two goals in 210:00 minutes in net, good for a 0.67 GAA.
Sunday's meeting with be the 12th all-time between the Spartans and Cardinals with MSU owning a 9-2 advantage. Michigan State looks to get back on the winning side of the series - Louisville has won each of the last two matchups.
"Louisville is off to a great start in their 2016 campaign and they are a regional team we face every season," said Knull. "With conference play starting the following weekend, we are looking to grow and improve every opportunity we get. We need to execute our game plan and make adjustments when necessary. The way I look at it, it doesn't matter who the opponent - we need to be focused and driven on sticking to the game plan and getting the outcome we are looking for."
Michigan State is currently in the midst of a seven-game homestand and stretch of eight of nine games at home.
Next weekend begins Big Ten play, as the Spartans square off with in-state rival Michigan on Friday at 6 p.m. ET in East Lansing. MSU then welcomes non-conference opponent Miami (Oh) on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
