Michigan
(10-6, 5-2Big Ten)
Michigan State
(9-7, 4-4Big Ten)
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.
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
