Source: MSUSpartans.com
Posted: Sunday, October 25, 2009 4:18:00 PM EST
Published: Sunday, October 25, 2009 4:22:00 PM EST
Posted: Sunday, October 25, 2009 4:18:00 PM EST
Published: Sunday, October 25, 2009 4:22:00 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich.- No. 8 Michigan State used goals from seniors Jeamie Deacon (Wexford, Ireland) and Floor Rijpma (Bunnik, Netherlands) and a solid defensive effort to defeat in-state rival Michigan, 2-1 Sunday afternoon at Ralph Young Field. With the victory the Spartans clinched their first ever outright Big Ten Title and improved to 14-3 on the season (5-0 Big Ten).
"We are very happy to be Big Ten Regular Season Champions," said head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "It's a fitting tribute to our players and the work that they've put in since the beginning of the season."
The Spartans and Wolverines played back and forth hockey for a majority of the first half with both teams generating numerous scoring opportunities but keepers Elissa Unger (Reading, Pa.) and Paige Pickett were up to the challenge. Michigan State earned its first penalty corner of the match at the 22 minute mark and took full advantage scoring off a beautifully drawn up play. Sophomore Chantae Miller (East Amherst, N.Y.) sent a beautiful ball in that was stopped perfectly by junior Joelle van Ierland (Den Dolder, Netherlands) and then rifled into the back of the cage by Deacon giving the Spartans a 1-0 lead. The Spartans had a chance to push their lead to two with two minutes left in the half but a shot from junior Jantine Steinmetz (Amstelveen, Netherlands) sailed just high of the cage keeping the Spartan lead at one entering halftime.
The Wolverines came out strong to start the second half drawing even with the Spartans less than 10 minutes in when Meredith Way scored off a penalty corner from Katie Adams and Heather Wiley. The Spartans kept their composure and retook the lead when Rijpma took a pass from Steinmetz and fired a shot pass a diving Pickett to give the Spartans a 2-1 lead with just over ten minutes remaining in the game. From there, the Spartans played keep away, holding the Wolverines shotless, and hung on to their 2-1 victory.
After the victory, the players rushed the field to celebrate their Big Ten Title and even gave Coach van de Kerkhof a few celebratory Gatorade showers.
"It was cold, but totally worth it," said van de Kerkhof. "That's part of celebrating and I was happy to be a part of it."
The Spartans return to action next weekend when they travel to State College, Pa. for a Big Ten showdown with Penn State.
Both of the Spartans' games from this past weekend will be aired on Big Ten Network tape delay. Michigan State's Friday matchup with Ohio State will air on Big Ten Network tape delay at 6 p.m. on Sunday (10/25). Michigan State and Michigan will air on Big Ten Network tape delay at 8 p.m. on Monday (10/26).
"We are very happy to be Big Ten Regular Season Champions," said head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "It's a fitting tribute to our players and the work that they've put in since the beginning of the season."
The Spartans and Wolverines played back and forth hockey for a majority of the first half with both teams generating numerous scoring opportunities but keepers Elissa Unger (Reading, Pa.) and Paige Pickett were up to the challenge. Michigan State earned its first penalty corner of the match at the 22 minute mark and took full advantage scoring off a beautifully drawn up play. Sophomore Chantae Miller (East Amherst, N.Y.) sent a beautiful ball in that was stopped perfectly by junior Joelle van Ierland (Den Dolder, Netherlands) and then rifled into the back of the cage by Deacon giving the Spartans a 1-0 lead. The Spartans had a chance to push their lead to two with two minutes left in the half but a shot from junior Jantine Steinmetz (Amstelveen, Netherlands) sailed just high of the cage keeping the Spartan lead at one entering halftime.
The Wolverines came out strong to start the second half drawing even with the Spartans less than 10 minutes in when Meredith Way scored off a penalty corner from Katie Adams and Heather Wiley. The Spartans kept their composure and retook the lead when Rijpma took a pass from Steinmetz and fired a shot pass a diving Pickett to give the Spartans a 2-1 lead with just over ten minutes remaining in the game. From there, the Spartans played keep away, holding the Wolverines shotless, and hung on to their 2-1 victory.
After the victory, the players rushed the field to celebrate their Big Ten Title and even gave Coach van de Kerkhof a few celebratory Gatorade showers.
"It was cold, but totally worth it," said van de Kerkhof. "That's part of celebrating and I was happy to be a part of it."
The Spartans return to action next weekend when they travel to State College, Pa. for a Big Ten showdown with Penn State.
Both of the Spartans' games from this past weekend will be aired on Big Ten Network tape delay. Michigan State's Friday matchup with Ohio State will air on Big Ten Network tape delay at 6 p.m. on Sunday (10/25). Michigan State and Michigan will air on Big Ten Network tape delay at 8 p.m. on Monday (10/26).
