Field Hockey Closes Road Stretch at No. 24 Ohio State, Ohio

Michigan State (4-4, 0-3 B1G) at No. 24 Ohio State (3-5, 0-3 B1G)
Date: Friday, Sept. 30
Time: 4 p.m.
Live Stats
Watch Live: BTN
Location: Columbus, Ohio

Michigan State at Ohio (5-3, 1-1 MAC)
Date: Sunday, Oct. 2
Time: Noon
Live Stats
Watch Live: Ohio Bobcat TV (YouTube)
Location: Athens, Ohio

Michigan State Game Notes

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State field hockey (4-4, 0-3 B1G) will complete its four-game road stretch this weekend, visiting No. 24 Ohio State (3-5, 0-3 B1G) on Friday, Sept. 30 at 4 p.m. before taking on Ohio (5-3, 1-1 MAC) for a noon contest on Sunday, Oct. 2.

Friday's game will be nationally televised on the Big Ten Network. Sunday's game will stream via YouTube on the Ohio Bobcat TV channel.

LAST TIME OUT
The Spartans head to the state of Ohio after falling at No. 6 Penn State and No. 3 Maryland last weekend. Graduate midfielder Isa van der Weij became the Spartans' leading scorer on the season over the weekend, scoring a pair of goals at Maryland to total four goals and eight points on the season. Spartans' goalkeeper Monique Jardell has played every minute between the pipes this season, recording a career-high 12 saves at Maryland. Georgia Davies, Ashley Harlock and Ellie Wheatley lead Michigan State in assists with five each.

VAN DER WEIJ LEADING THE WAY
van der Weij has quickly found her offense since the beginning of conference play, as all four of her goals have been scored over the course of the Spartans' last four games. Each of van der Weij's goals were scored off penalty corners. The Naarden, Netherlands native is in her fifth year with Michigan State field hockey and made her first starts of the season at Penn State and Maryland.

SCOUTING OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes will be the Spartans' third-consecutive ranked opponent, entering this week's NFHCA Coaches Poll at No. 24. Ohio State enters Friday's matchup at 3-5 after dropping its last five contests. The Buckeyes fell at No. 19 Rutgers, 2-0, last Friday, before a 2-0 defeat at No. 6 Penn State on Sunday. Ohio State midfielder leads the Buckeyes in scoring and goals with six and three, respectively. Emma Goldean posts a team-high three assists. Michigan State and Ohio State last met on Sept. 17, 2021, with Ohio State grabbing a narrow 4-3 victory. Ohio State leads the all-time series, 42-24-3.

SCOUTING OHIO
The Bobcats post a 5-3 record this season after going 1-1 last weekend on the road, picking up a 3-2 win over Longwood last Friday before falling 3-0 at VCU on Sunday. Freshman forward Mijntje Ligtenberg leads the Bobcats in all three categories (15 p, 6 g, 3 a) and was named MAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week after a five-point performance against Longwood. The Bobcats will host Kent State on Friday before the Spartans arrive in Athens on Sunday. Michigan State leads the all-time series with Ohio, 16-2, with the most recent meeting coming on Sept. 5, 2021. Michigan State grabbed a 2-0 shutout win in that contest.

UP NEXT
The Spartans return home to host Michigan at Ralph Young Field on Friday, Oct. 7 at 5 p.m. Michigan State then travels to Ball State for a non-conference matchup in Muncie, Ind. on Sunday, Oct. 9 at 1 p.m.