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Katie Rausch
The State News

Holly Sherman, a freshman, (center) fights against Syracuse’s Martina Loncarica, a freshman, (right) and another defender, for possession during the second half of Sunday’s game in East Lansing. The Spartans lost, 3-1.

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The No. 10 MSU field hockey team suffered its first loss of the season Sunday, falling 3-1 to No. 18 Syracuse.

The game was a defensive struggle for most of the day. Scoring didn’t begin until the 25th minute when freshman back Angie Lucik scored the first goal of her MSU career on a rebound of a penalty corner.

The Orange answered quickly, scoring on a breakaway goal by sophomore forward Lindsey Conrad a little more than a minute later, sending the game into halftime tied.

In the second half, Syracuse scored two more goals despite only getting three shots in the frame. MSU outshot Syracuse 18-7 for the game.

“Syracuse is by far the best team we’ve faced so far this season,” MSU head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof said. “I thought we would have a good matchup with them. I think from time to time we did, but at the moments we could make the difference offensively or defensively, we let down. And with that you don’t create a good opportunity to get the result you want.”

Van de Kerkhof said he didn’t believe the team came ready to play.

“We thought that we would be better prepared after a close win over Stanford,” van de Kerkhof said.

The Spartans beat Stanford 3-2 in overtime Wednesday.

“We thought that would be a sign on the wall that we have to pick up our own team play,” van de Kerkhof said. “I don’t think we did that today against Syracuse. Instead of coming away with a win, a loss might shake people awake and really make them aware that things have to change for the better.”

As a coaching staff, they hope the team doesn’t need to lose to get a message, van de Kerkhof said.

“If that’s the way it is for us to make the next move and the change in our approach, on how to get ourselves ready and pumped, then yes, I think this loss is probably the best loss you want to have in the games that we played and the games that we’re going to face down the road,” van de Kerkhof said. “Syracuse will continue to be a good team, it’s not a bad loss against a top-ranked opponent down the road.”

Published on Sunday, September 7, 2008