Offense scores 18 times as Spartans win weekend pair

The No. 8 MSU field hockey team mowed through its competition this weekend, scoring 18 goals in two games.

The Spartans, who have won eight straight, recorded their second shutout of the season Sunday by beating Temple 9-0.

“It was pretty relieving to finally get the second shutout,” junior goalkeeper Elissa Unger said. “It’s been a point of mine that’s been a little frustrating. As long as we’re winning I’m not concerned, but it’s always nice to get those.”

The team started off the game on a fast note, scoring two goals in the first two minutes, with junior midfielder Floor Rijpma scoring her fifth goal of the weekend.

The defense stepped up big for the Spartans, stopping eight shots and six penalty corners in the first half alone. For the game, Temple had 12 shots on goal and 10 penalty corners.

“I think Unger came up big with some plays today,” head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof said. “Also (our defenders) did some good things in our defensive circle to lock the goal cage up today. It was a big plus for my entire defensive unit. I’m excited to see them perform like today next Friday at Northwestern.”

Sophomore forward Jantine Steinmetz helped the effort, scoring the fourth goal of the game with 10:23 to play in the half and assisting on two earlier goals, leading the Spartans to a 4-0 lead at the break.

The Owls forced the tempo early in the second half, earning two penalty corners in the first few minutes, but MSU ended any hopes of a comeback when junior midfielder Jeamie Deacon fired a rocket through a crowd of Temple defenders into the back of the cage to put the Spartans ahead 5-0.

Deacon assisted on the next goal by freshman back Angie Lucik and scored the seventh goal off a penalty shot. Senior back Geraldine Raynor added the final two scores.

“We were connecting well and our forwards were pressuring well up front,” Deacon said. “We just started playing simple balls, passing and moving. That just created holes and gaps. It was good.”

The performance against Temple was a continuation of Friday’s match with Indiana, when the Spartans beat the Hoosiers 9-1 and tied the school record for goals against a Big Ten opponent.

Rijpma had a career-high four goals in the game and Steinmetz and senior forward Gwen Riley added two goals each.

The Spartans hit the road for their next three games, starting with a two-game set in Evanston, Ill., against conference foe Northwestern and No. 3 Wake Forest.

Published on Sunday, October 5, 2008