Team deserves large crowd for tournament

Imagine practicing in beautiful weather, a calm sea breeze blowing over the field.

Joe Terry

Then imagine getting thrust into a must-win situation, playing in conditions the exact opposite.

From sunshine to snowflakes. From 60 degrees to 46.

That’s the home-field advantage the MSU field hockey team is holding over visiting North Carolina by hosting the NCAA Tournament this weekend at Ralph Young Field.

As good as the Tar Heels have been in the postseason, with five national championships (including 2007) and another six runner-ups, they haven’t faired well in cold weather.

The last two times North Carolina has played in Michigan in November, the Tar Heels have lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by a combined score of 7-3. Not to mention, they are only 4-3 on the road this season while getting outscored 11-1 in the three losses.

And with the Spartans sitting at 6-2 at home this season, outscoring their opponents 32-14, that bodes for a pretty good advantage.

But there is one more leg up they need. And it’s in the stands.

In the Spartans’ eight matches this season, they average 179 fans per game.

So here’s the call, MSU.

East Lansing is on the national scene, showing the NCAA and top programs from around the country this school can be more than just a football or basketball school.

Even if you don’t know a thing about the sport, come out.

When I started covering the team in August, the only thing I knew about the sport was that girls played and the point was to score goals. Simply put, I knew it was a sport, that’s about it.

Let me vouch for them — field hockey is not boring.

But I learned quickly these girls play a sport that requires the toughness of the ice hockey team, the endurance of the soccer teams and the creativity of the basketball teams.

The games are filled with hard hits, laser shots and precision passes that would make Chris Paul spin his head.

They have a high-octane offense that finished the season seventh in the nation in goals per game and eighth in scoring margin.

The team has played a schedule Tom Izzo would approve of, playing five of the 16 teams in the NCAA Tournament, outshooting every one of them.

These Spartans have been making the university proud all season, staying in the top 10 all season, and climbing as high as No. 4 earlier this year.

So on a day without an MSU football game to watch, head to the field next to Spartan Stadium at 2 p.m. Saturday and support the field hockey team.

Show the Tar Heels what the definition of home-field advantage truly means.