Field hockey picks up overtime win in 1st home game of season

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The MSU field hockey team opened its home season in thrilling fashion with a 2-1 overtime victory over Kent State on Sunday afternoon.

The Spartans (5-6 overall, 0-1 Big Ten) were looking to rebound after dropping their first Big Ten match of the season to Iowa, 2-0, Saturday. MSU did just that on an overtime penalty corner by freshman midfielder Becky Stiles.

With less than five minutes left in the first overtime, freshman forward Abby Barker had a breakaway look at the goal but was fouled inside the circle. Stiles took the penalty corner on a pass from redshirt senior back Angie Lucik and found the back of the cage, putting the game away for good.

“It felt awesome,” Stiles said about the goal. “I couldn’t have done it without my teammates. They set me up with a corner and never gave up. We never let up in the circle — we just kept pushing.”

The Spartans spent most of the first half playing catch-up after Kent State took the lead about six minutes into the game, on a goal by senior forward Debbie Bell. MSU was outshot in the first half, 6-2, despite having a number of chances offensively.

However, the Spartans were able to tie it up with 25:22 left in the game, after redshirt sophomore forward Elizabeth Helffrich scored on a pass from freshman forward Heather Howie.

Redshirt sophomore goaltender Molly Cassidy had an impressive game, tallying three saves and maintaining composure against the relentless Kent State offense. She also made an important save on a penalty corner with 2:45 left in regulation, and both teams were able to hang on, sending the match into overtime.

“I think we just took it as another corner. We’ve done it before, so let’s just do it again,” Cassidy said. “(I was thinking,) ‘Let’s keep our team in it; let’s be a wall in there.’ And we got it done really well.”

Kent State began overtime down one player after midfielder Julia Hoffman received a yellow card, but the Spartans were unable to take advantage of the shorthanded squad.

For first-year head coach Helen Knull, the game not only marked her first win at Ralph Young Field but also a win against her alma mater. Knull played field hockey for the Golden Flashes for four years, being named an All-American and team captain twice.

“You always want them to do well, but at the same time, you want to win,” Knull said.

This past week has been brutal for the Spartans, as they played five games in eight days. Knull said beating Kent State was indicative of the team’s ability to keep its focus when the circumstances were mentally draining.

More than anything, Knull hopes the win will help build momentum as her team prepares for its next opponent, Northwestern. The Spartans will take on the Wildcats at home Thursday as they hope to notch their first victory in the Big Ten.

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