Field hockey freshmen growing up as Big Ten play begins

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After a dramatic 2-1 overtime victory at home against Kent State on Sunday, the MSU field hockey team has its Big Ten home opener at 3 p.m. today, facing off against the Northwestern Wildcats.

The Spartans (5-6 overall, 0-1 Big Ten) had no trouble against the Wildcats last year, winning all three matchups. But MSU has a young team this year, returning two seniors on a roster that features nine freshmen, and that could be the difference maker. However, head coach Helen Knull has seen a lot of growth from her young squad this season, and the young players have adjusted nicely to change of scenery.

“Our upperclassmen have really shown (our freshmen) the way, and that reflects on the way they feel on the team,” she said.

The team has seen quite a bit of production out of its youngest players. Two of the top three scorers on the team are freshmen, forwards Abby Barker and Allie Ahern, who have scored three and two goals this season, respectively. Sunday’s overtime match was decided on a corner penalty goal by freshman midfielder Becky Stiles, giving her team a win in its home opener.

However, the Spartans have struggled recently in being outshot by their opponents, 131-103. Senior back Holly Sherman said the team is focusing on defending the circle and sticking with the set out game plan for the full 70 minutes.

The Spartans are still looking for their first Big Ten win, after dropping their match to Iowa, 2-0. They’ll get that chance against Northwestern, but sophomore midfielder Katherine Jamieson has some extra incentive to put one in the win column.

Jamieson’s older sister, Megan, is a senior back for the Wildcats. The game marks the fourth meeting for the two siblings, and the younger Jamieson is looking forward to matching up against her sister.

“Hopefully I can keep the bragging rights on my side, but it’s always fun playing against her, especially since she’s a defender and I’m more of an attacker,” she said. “So we get head to head a lot, and it’s fun to see who my parents cheer for.”

Jamieson’s family will have the opportunity to see a well prepared MSU team after the Spartans had an unusual schedule last week, playing five games in eight days, four of which were on the road.

The constant travel made it difficult for the Spartans to find a rhythm, and they were only able to practice once during the stretch.

Sherman said this week has been much easier to get back into the groove, noting that being able to wake up in the same bed from day to day and having time to practice has made it easier to prepare for the upcoming games.

“It’s always good to have more practice,” she said, “especially to work on the little things and not have to sort things out on our heels.”

MSU is in the middle of a three-game home stand
and will finish up the stretch when it hosts New Hampshire at Ralph Young Field at noon on Sunday.

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