Matches between MSU and Michigan always warrant attention, but when both teams are ranked in the top 10 in their sport, the game becomes even more interesting.
Such will be the case when the No. 7 MSU women’s field hockey team welcomes No. 3 U-M at 7:30 p.m. Thursday to the Duffy Daugherty Football Building.
Obviously the rivalry adds more emotion to the game, but the Spartans (8-3, 2-0 Big Ten) are confident they can rise to the challenge.
“0f course, you want to beat Michigan as much as any other team, maybe even more because of the intrastate rivalry but that emotion can only help us,” head coach Michele Madison said.
Adding to the emotions, the game follows a four-game Spartan winning streak that featured standout performances from a variety of players.
“We look for the team to step up, that’s really the motto of the whole year,” Madison said. “Whoever needs to do it at whatever moment in the game - during the game, on the field, on the sideline, whatever - that’s what makes us a team and that’s when we win.”
But U-M (8-2, 2-0 Big Ten) could stand in the way of a fifth win Thursday.
The Wolverines have won the past six matches between the two schools.
Plus, U-M’s shooting, especially from penalty corners, could keep the Spartans on their toes, Madison said.
“We can’t really go for the ball in the circle and we’re going to have to play really smart and protect our feet,” Madison said. “We can’t give up the corners easy, so they can take their free shots.”
MSU could put some pressure on Michigan, in the form of its senior forwards Bridget Cooper and Maureen Halstead.
Freshman back Judith van Haeringen, the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Week, could also provide a scoring punch.
Van Haeringen had the game-winning goal in MSU’s double overtime win at Penn State Friday.
She had two goals in the team’s win over Cornell Sunday.
Van Haeringen doesn’t expect her intensity to fade Thursday.
“It’s not like I, from my feeling, played an extraordinary game,” she said. “I just scored and made the goals. I’ll try my best to keep it at the same level.”
Van Haeringen could start her collegiate career with a win against U-M, but for seniors Cooper and Halstead, the game will be their last chance.
Neither Cooper and Halstead originate from Michigan.
And they admit that the rivalry wasn’t as interesting when they first joined the team.
Now both have grown to appreciate each game against their foes.
“It’s our last time playing them, not even just for us, but also for all the fans,” Cooper said.
“Everyone’s always like, ‘Oh, you’re playing Michigan, I’ll come,’ so it’s just an extra little boost.”
Halstead agrees.
“I think it’s just contagious around Michigan and how people feel about the competition,” Halstead said.
MSU has had some early upsets this season - to then No.1 Old Dominion Aug. 25 and then No. 6 Wake Forest Aug. 26.
But Madison thinks this game could bring out the best in her team.
“When you have a rivalry like that, you push each other to the limits of who can hold their game and keep their team together under all the hype and emotion,” Madison said.
