Field Hockey Opens Season at Boston and New Hampshire

EAST LANSING, Mich.- Michigan State Field Hockey travels to the Northeast as it opens the 2023 season. The Spartans face Boston University on Friday, Aug. 25 at 12 p.m., and travel up to New Hampshire to take on the Wildcats Sunday, Aug. 27 at 12 p.m.

Eight players who appeared in 17 or more games in 2022 are back in the Green and White, five of which recorded 10 total points last season. Head coach Helen Knull enters her 13^th season at the helm and 17^th overall with the Spartans. Knull has seven newcomers for the 2023 season: five freshmen and two transfers who offers plenty of college playing experience.

Players to Watch
Ellie Rutherford, Hannah Jarvie, and Celina Riccardo were named Big Ten Players to Watch this past Wednesday. Rutherford appeared and started in 17 games in 2022 registered four goals and two assists which tied for third on the team in total points (10) with teammates, Jarvie and Riccardo. Jarvie and Riccardo played in all 18 games for the Spartans. Jarvie had a career high four goals with two coming in a 5-2 victory over UC Davis. Riccardo tied for second on the team with six assists and had a career high 10 points during her 2022 campaign.

Expect BIG things from these three!#ForReal #GoGreen pic.twitter.com/EKh4bijK1w
— MSU Field Hockey (@MSU_FieldHockey) August 23, 2023

Scouting the Terriers
Boston saw a six-win improvement in the 2022 season as it finished 10-9 (5-1 Patriot League). The Terriers are returning their two highest scorers from last year in senior forward Tess Csejka (10 goals, one assist) and junior forward Payton Anderson (nine goals, two assists) from the team that came up one game short from punching a ticket into the NCAA Tournament. Anderson, Rachel Borzymowski, and Thalia Steenssens were all voted to the Patriot League Preseason All-League Team with Anderson voted Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. At the helm for Boston is Sally Starr who is entering her 43^rd season as the head coach for the Terriers. The last time these two teams met was back in 2011 with the Spartans coming out on top 3-1.

Scouting the Wildcats
After a .500 season (10-10) New Hampshire was picked fourth in the American East Preseason Poll. The Wildcats returns their top four scorers from last season, including second-year All-American Tasmin Cookman, who was one of four freshmen honored as an All-American in 2022 and was ranked seventh nationally in points per game (2.15). New Hampshire is led by Robin Balducci who is entering her 33^rd season as the Wildcats head coach. Balducci has 305 career wins and is an enshrinee of the NFHCA Hall of Fame in 2017.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE SPARTANS
The Spartans will conclude their three-straight road trips to start the season as they take on Kent State Friday, Sep. 1 at 3 p.m.