Junior helps lead Spartans to Big Ten title

Junior forward Jantine Steinmetz connected with senior midfielder Floor Rijpma for the go-ahead goal against Michigan on Oct. 25 that lifted the No. 8 MSU field hockey team to its first ever regular season outright Big Ten championship.

Steinmetz

Plays like that have made Steinmetz a valuable member of the team and one of MSU’s top scorers.

The recent All-Big Ten second team selection from Amstelveen, Netherlands is fourth on the team in goals, with nine, and fifth in points.

She adds offensive firepower and scoring depth to the team and looks to be an important part of the Spartans’ NCAA Tournament run, which begins this weekend.

In 2007, Steinmetz led the team in goals, with 15 in just her first season with the Spartans. In 2008 she tallied 20 points and was named Second Team All-Big Ten.

Last month, The State News caught up with Steinmetz to get to better know one of the Spartans’ top scorers.

The State News What’s the best part of being an MSU field hockey player?

Jantine Steinmetz We always have a lot of fun with the team on and off the field, and especially when we play a good game and get the result we wanted. It’s just a lot of fun. It’s a good atmosphere.

SN What’s your most exciting moment as an MSU field hockey player?

JS Everything’s been exciting … especially when you get to practice next to (Spartan) Stadium. That’s something that’s really cool to see.

SN What’s your most embarrassing moment as an MSU field hockey player?

JS There are a lot, actually. Last year and this year, I fell a couple of times … it’s kind of embarrassing. (My teammates) always like to make fun of that.

SN What’s been your favorite class you’ve taken here at MSU?

JS I really like my journalism class. It was a fun experience to see in America how they deal with the press.

SN For people who haven’t played field hockey before, what’s the most difficult part of the game?

JS I think especially for the people who are watching the game, it’s the rules. There are so many rules and it takes a long time to get familiar with it and there’s a lot of different skills and techniques.

SN What’s your favorite movie?

JS I really like “The Hangover.” That’s really funny. We always watch movies on the bus.

SN What type of music do you listen to?

JS When I came here, it was all club and house from Europe, but now I’m more into the hip-hop American scene.

SN Is there any song you listen to that gets you going before a game?

JS I just like our whole warmup CD. It’s a good mix of techno and hip-hop. It gets me pumped up.