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Field hockey beats Michigan in double overtime

October 11, 2013
	<p>The field hockey team celebrates after a win in double overtime during the game against Michigan, Oct. 11, 2013, at Ralph Young Field. The Spartans defeated The Wolverines 3-2. Danyelle Morrow/The State News</p>

The field hockey team celebrates after a win in double overtime during the game against Michigan, Oct. 11, 2013, at Ralph Young Field. The Spartans defeated The Wolverines 3-2. Danyelle Morrow/The State News

Photo by Danyelle Morrow | The State News

It took junior back Jenni Smith 13 games to register her first goals.

Luckily for MSU, she saved them for their biggest game of the season.

Smith scored two goals on three shots to lead MSU (6-7 overall, 3-0 Big Ten) to an upset over No. 18 Michigan (7-6 overall, 1-2 Big Ten) in a double-overtime thriller. Junior forward Abby Barker scored the game-winner in the second overtime.

“We came in expecting a fight, and that’s exactly what it was,” Barker said. “It was back and forth. It went to the very end.”

It was MSU’s first home win over Michigan since 2009. None of the current field hockey players were on that team.

“It was big,” Smith said of her performance. “We’ve never won a game against Michigan, so coming in we’re already riled up. We didn’t want to lose. A lot of heart was played in that game. We all dug deep for that long game.”

Barker said scoring the game-winning goal was surreal, and that it felt good to to win a tough game over an in-state rival.

“I’m just so happy we were just saying how our senior class, they’ve never beaten Michigan in a regular season game, or even postseason,” Barker said. “It just feels great to get the win and be 3-0 in the Big Ten.”

Michigan was in control for much of the first half, mustering nine shots and four penalty corners. However, it was MSU that put the first point on the board when Smith scored on a penalty corner with seven seconds left in the half, assisted by Alli Helwig.

MSU’s defensive intensity in the first half was mostly due to senior goalkeeper Molly Cassidy, who had seven saves in the half.

“All week in practice, we prepared for corner defense which is really where a lot of our saves came. Molly Cassidy had a really solid week in practice,” head coach Helen Knull said. “For us, defensively, it came out really solid and it came up on the rebounds.”

Perhaps the Spartans were a bit nervous in the first half. In the second half they brought a new focus, outshooting Michigan six shots to five.

Michigan’s Rachael Mack scored 40:25 minutes into the game with a deflection. Smith responded 13 minutes later by scoring on another penalty corner.

Michigan wouldn’t stand down, however. Ainsley McCallister scored an unassisted goal 59:37 minutes into the match, forcing overtime.

After much back-and-forth, Barker finally sealed the win with a break away goal down the left side.

“I’m so happy,” Barker said. “It was a complete team effort. We talked about how we kept all week in practice, we came in and worked our butts off. It showed and it paid off.”

Despite lackluster non-conference play, the field hockey team is undefeated in Big Ten play. Knull said that with tough conference competition approaching, the perfect start is ideal.

“I think for us, it’s that self belief and confidence that comes from those wins,” Knull said. “For us, our goals are still in reach and we’re still fighting to get ready for them.”

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