Michigan State University Athletics
Trio of Spartans Recognized on Preseason All-Big Ten Team
2/24/2021 4:06:00 PM | Field Hockey
East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State field hockey seniors Cara Bonshak (Whitehall, Pa./Whitehall) and Meredith Ross (Berwyn, Pa./Conestoga) and sophomore Merel Hanssen (Maastricht, The Netherlands/Elzendaal College Boxmeer) were selected to the Preseason All-Big Ten team on Wednesday.
The Spartans open the 2020-21 season on Friday, Feb. 26, playing Maryland in Virginia Beach, Va. at 2:30 p.m.
"I'm happy for our players to be recognized by the league and it's a great recognition as we get ready to open our season," Head Coach Helen Knull said. "Cara and Meredith are two of our seniors who have a lot of experience and are leaders on our team and we're excited to see Merel out on the field after a strong freshman year."
Bonshak was a captain last year as a junior and was one of four players to start all 18 games. She led the team with seven assists and scored her first career goal against Rutgers. An engineering major, Bonshak was an Academic All-Big Ten selection and a National Field Hockey Coaches Association Academic Squad member.
Ross has appeared in 56 career games with 13 starts. She started seven games as a junior and was fourth on the team with four goals and third on the team with 19 shots. Ross was an Academic All-Big Ten selection and was a National Field Hockey Coaches Association Academic Squad member.
As a freshman in 2019, Hanssen appeared in all 18 games and was third among all first-year player with 14 starts. A communications major, Hanssen took 10 shots last year and was a key member of the team in the midfield.
The 2021 slate features a 14-match schedule that includes conference-only matches during a span of eight weeks. All Big Ten teams will play a pair of matches in Virginia Beach, Va., six matches at home and six matches on the road. The Spartans return home to Ralph Young Field for their first match on Sunday, March 7, hosting Indiana.
The Spartans open the 2020-21 season on Friday, Feb. 26, playing Maryland in Virginia Beach, Va. at 2:30 p.m.
"I'm happy for our players to be recognized by the league and it's a great recognition as we get ready to open our season," Head Coach Helen Knull said. "Cara and Meredith are two of our seniors who have a lot of experience and are leaders on our team and we're excited to see Merel out on the field after a strong freshman year."
Bonshak was a captain last year as a junior and was one of four players to start all 18 games. She led the team with seven assists and scored her first career goal against Rutgers. An engineering major, Bonshak was an Academic All-Big Ten selection and a National Field Hockey Coaches Association Academic Squad member.
Ross has appeared in 56 career games with 13 starts. She started seven games as a junior and was fourth on the team with four goals and third on the team with 19 shots. Ross was an Academic All-Big Ten selection and was a National Field Hockey Coaches Association Academic Squad member.
As a freshman in 2019, Hanssen appeared in all 18 games and was third among all first-year player with 14 starts. A communications major, Hanssen took 10 shots last year and was a key member of the team in the midfield.
The 2021 slate features a 14-match schedule that includes conference-only matches during a span of eight weeks. All Big Ten teams will play a pair of matches in Virginia Beach, Va., six matches at home and six matches on the road. The Spartans return home to Ralph Young Field for their first match on Sunday, March 7, hosting Indiana.
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