After winning the first Big Ten title in team history last season, the women’s field hockey team has a tough road ahead of them - but they’re ready.
Eight starters and 14 letter-winners return to a squad that last year compiled a 16-6 overall record and advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament before being ousted by Michigan in a 2-1 overtime loss.
The team kicks off its season Saturday by visiting the nine-time National Champion Old Dominion Lady Monarchs, and is anxious to take on the task.
The Monarchs are favored to win their seventh consecutive national championship, despite the loss of 2001 Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year Adrienne Yoder to graduation.
“To have a strong opponent right away is fun, that’s what we train for all summer,” head coach Michele Madison said. “It gives us more incentive to get ready because we have one of the best teams in the country to play against.”
MSU also opened its 2001 season against Old Dominion. The Spartans won the only matchup of the season between the teams 3-2 in overtime.
Senior midfielder Cynthia Martin said the Aug. 31 meeting will definitely be a battle between the two teams.
“We’re really both out to get each other this year,” Martin said. “They want revenge for last year’s loss and we want to beat them to prove that it wasn’t luck that we won the first time.”
In addition to preparing for a grueling season-opener, the squad has the added task of helping freshmen assimilate into a higher level of play.
Martin, along with junior forward Theresa Pusateri, junior midfielder/back Alexandra Kyser and sophomore back Judith Vanhaeringen make up the team’s Leadership Group. The four serve as role models to the incoming freshmen and their teammates.
Some of the tasks the Leadership Group assumed were to begin practicing early with just the freshmen, and to hang out and get to know the new girls off the field.
Pusateri said the 10 newcomers on the squad are adjusting quite well, with the veteran’s help.
“We come in and set the tone for practice - it’s all serious on the field,” Pusateri said. “Off of the field, it can be fun and games, but once we begin practice, everything is intense.”
After making it to the Elite Eight last season, the Spartans have decided not to focus on the future, but to play to the best of their ability each game, and to work on one game at a time.
“We can’t get to the Final Four this weekend, but (Saturday’s game) is just one step in qualifying for that national tournament,” Madison said. “(Qualifying) isn’t really up front, it’s to the back of our heads right now.
“We just want to play the game and see where we stand Aug. 31.”
