Michigan State University
(1-0)
UC Davis
(0-1)
MSU Downs UC-Davis 4-3 in 2024 Opener
8/30/2024 5:59:00 PM | Field Hockey
Bianca Pizano had a pair of goals for MSU, while seniors Maddie Lawlor and Jillian Bonczewski also scored for the Spartans to start off the season in the win column.
MSU held a 2-0 lead at the half with Lawlor and Pizano's first of the day going on the board in the first quarter. Pizano struck for a second a little over five minutes into the second half, but Lisolette Koop and Ella Franklin connected for a UC-Davis goals at 41:03, to make it 3-1 in favor of the road team at the completion of third stanza.
The final quarter minutes was a bit wild and frenetic for the Aggies, as Koop scored her second with just over seven minutes remaining to pull her team within 3-2. Bonczeski netted the insurance tally for MSU less than two minutes after Koop's second score to re-establish a two-goal lead and give the Spartans some breathing room. Koop set up Zoe Mohrman to make it 4-3 with 3:27 remaining, but the Spartan defense was up to the task.
Koop had two goals and an assist for the home team, and starting goalie Emma Giesting made three saves in the opening 30 minutes. She was spelled by Sarah Lopez in the second half.
MSU returns to action on Sunday afternoon with a 4 pm ET game at Cal to complete its California road trip.
Notes and Notables:
- MSU had an edge in corners (6-4) and shots (10-8), with all of the UC Davis saves (3) credited to the starter Geisting in the first half.
- Lawlor opened the scoring for the Spartans, posting the first goal of the season. Lawlor missed the 2023 campaign with injury.
- Pizano had her first career two-goal game. She scored two goals as a freshman in 14 games.
- Senior Ellie Rutherford had assists on each of the first two Spartan goals.
- A pair of freshmen recorded their first collegiate points – Caro Shafer assisted on the Lawlor opening goal, and Lilian Knorr had assists on Pizano's second and on Bonczewski's game-winner.
- Lyra Gavino earned the win for MSU without being forced to make a save on the afternoon.
Team Stats
Maddie Lawlor
Assisted By: Caro Schafer , Ellie Rutherford
GOAL by MSU Maddie Lawlor (FIRST GOAL), Assist by Caro Schafer and Ellie Rutherford.
9:36
Bianca Pizano
Assisted By: Ellie Rutherford
GOAL by MSU Bianca Pizano, Assist by Ellie Rutherford.
13:30
Bianca Pizano
Assisted By: Lilian Knorr
GOAL by MSU Bianca Pizano, Assist by Lilian Knorr.
35:35
Liselotte Koop
Assisted By: Ella Franken
GOAL by UCD Liselotte Koop, Assist by Ella Franken.
41:03
Liselotte Koop
Assisted By: Ella Franken
GOAL by UCD Liselotte Koop, Assist by Ella Franken.
53:32
Jillian Bonczewski
Assisted By: Lilian Knorr
GOAL by MSU Jillian Bonczewski, Assist by Lilian Knorr.
55:24
Zoe Mohrman
Assisted By: Liselotte Koop , Beth Munro-Morris
GOAL by UCD Zoe Mohrman, Assist by Liselotte Koop and Beth Munro-Morris.
56:33
