Michigan
(10-6, 5-2Big Ten)
Michigan State
(9-7, 4-4Big Ten)
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Michigan | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Wolverines Cannot Overcome Slow Start in Loss to MSU
10/24/2014 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Phyllis Ocker Field)
Score: Michigan State 2, #12 Michigan 1
Records: U-M (10-6, 5-2 Big Ten), Michigan State (9-7, 4-4 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Oct. 26 -- vs. New Hampshire (Phyllis Ocker Field), 1 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 12-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team could not overcome a sluggish start against intrastate rival Michigan State, falling, 2-1, on Friday afternoon (Oct. 24) in front of 709 fans at Phyllis Ocker Field. With the loss, the Wolverines moved out of first place in the Big Ten Conference standings.
Leslie Smith
Fifth-year senior Leslie Smith (Hummelstown, Pa./Hershey HS) netted a spectacular goal midway through the second half, at 46:20, to cut the Spartan advantage, extending her scoring streak to six straight games with an impressive solo effort in MSU territory. She received the ball from freshman Veerle Lubbers (Arnhem, Netherlands/Stedelijk Gymnasium) just past midfield and carried the ball into the circle from the left side, maneuvering past a couple Spartan defenders, to get to open space near the top. With MSU goalkeeper Sierra Patton charging out to challenge her, Smith chipped a high shot into the upper right corner of the cage for her 12th marker of the season.
The Wolverines threatened late, drawing three penalty-corner opportunities over the final six minutes but could not capitalize.
Michigan State scored its goals within a narrow 2:11 window late in the first half to claim a 2-0 halftime advantage. Alli Helwig broke through on the Spartans' first corner opportunity of the game, at 29:09, driving the direct shot to the lower left corner past freshman goalkeeper Sam Swenson (Harrogate, England/Ashville College).
The Spartans' Allie Ahern added another just minutes later, corralling the ball off a U-M defender after a long forward pass into the circle and blasting a low show the nearside lower corner.
Michigan outshot the Spartans, 8-6, and outcornered them, 7-2, in the contest. Swenson earned three saves in the Wolverine cage, while MSU's Patton stopped four of five U-M shots on goal.
The Wolverines will wrap up their regular-season home slate on Sunday (Oct. 26), hosting New Hampshire at 1 p.m. at Ocker Field. Prior to the game, Michigan will honor its five-member senior class. Admission is free.
GAME SUMMARY
| By Periods | 1 | 2 | F |
| Michigan State | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Michigan | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- MSU, Alli Helwig, 29:09 (Kristin Matula)
1st -- MSU, Allie Ahern, 31:20 (unassisted)
2nd -- U-M, Leslie Smith, 46:20 (Carly Bennett)
Shots: U-M 8, MSU 6
Saves: U-M 3 (Sam Swenson), MSU 4 (Sierra Patton)
Defensive Saves: none
Penalty Corners: U-M 7, MSU 2
Team Stats
Helwig, Alli
Assisted By: Matula, Kristin
direct corner shot
29:09
Ahern, Allie
Assisted By: Barker, Abby
stole near top of circle
31:20
Smith, Leslie
Assisted By: Lubbers, Veerle
carried in from midfield, high shot
46:20
