Field hockey splits weekend trip to Indiana

The MSU field hockey team (6-9 overall, 0-3 Big Ten) split its weekend games after going on the road for the first time since Sept. 23.

The Spartans were able to hold off Ball State 1-0 on Saturday but fell to No. 15 Indiana, 4-2 on Sunday afternoon.

Freshman forward Abby Barker was the star of the weekend, scoring the only goals of the weekend for MSU, including the game winner against Ball State. Sophomore goaltender Molly Cassidy recorded 11 saves on the weekend, including a six save performance for her second shutout of the season and seventh of her career.

Against Ball State, the Spartans scored about 17 minutes into the match and were able to hold onto a slim lead until time expired. As the game went on, the Cardinals ramped up the pressure, taking 10 of their 12 shots in the second half, but were unable to come away with a tying goal.

Once again, the Spartans struggled getting into a rhythm offensively, being out shot 15-8 by the Hoosiers while also losing the battle in number of penalty corners, 7-2.

The Spartans will return to East Lansing on Friday when they take on the Ohio State Buckeyes. MSU hopes to notch its first Big Ten victory of the season and also the first of Helen Knull’s tenure as head coach.