One of our university’s lesser-known sports teams has become one of its most successful, as MSU won the 2001 Big Ten Championship in field hockey.
“It was huge winning the Big Ten,” head coach Michele Madison said. “Everyone in the conference wants that, I’m just glad it was us.”
The team also fought its way to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Field Hockey Tournament. Both accomplishments were team firsts.
The Spartans also became the first Mercian Spring League champions last spring by winning a tournament held in Columbus, Ohio. The victory was made even sweeter as it came against MSU’s most-hated rival, and 2001 NCAA Champion, Michigan.
“It’s always great to beat Michigan,” Madison said. “They’re our biggest rival and to beat them for a championship is awesome.”
Including the NCAA Tournament, Spartan field hockey finished the season with a 16-6 record (5-1 Big Ten).
Even with last year’s immense success the team is only focused on the upcoming season.
“These kids are just ready to get in there and start playing,” she said. “They want even more than last season.”
Despite losing six seniors to graduation, one of whom is Bridget Cooper, the 2001 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and second-team All-American, the team is going into the season with a very positive outlook.
MSU won the Mercian Spring League Championship without those seniors. On their way to the title, the team amassed an impressive 5-0-1 record.
With the loss of those seniors, leadership roles were in question. But that question was answered resoundingly.
A group of four players were formed to serve as a link between the coaches and the team on and off the field. Senior Cynthia Martin, juniors Alexandra Kyser and Theresa Pusateri, and sophomore Judith van Haeringen were chosen as leaders this season.
The Spartans return three of their top five scorers from a year ago, as sophomore forward Annabet Beerman tops the list after scoring 28 points (10 goals, eight assists). Backfielder van Haeringen (second-team All-Big Ten and team Rookie of the Year) looks to add to her total of 20 points (six goals, eight assists), as does senior forward Julia Adams, who had three goals and nine helpers on her way to 15 points last season.
Coach Madison said the loss of Cooper and Maureen Halstead, who led the team last year with 50 and 37 points, respectively, made offense a priority during spring workouts.
Junior goalie Lauren Hess looks to get the nod to start in goal this season. Last year she started all 22 games and was third in the Big Ten with a 1.28 goals against average. She also posted six shutouts and made 66 saves.
“Our defense is basically the same as last year, so we just have to keep up communication out on the field,” Hess said. “They work so hard and they make it easier for me out there.”
That defense also should fare well this season. Senior Jenny Sanders and sophomores Jacqueline Ahinga and van Haeringen look to be the heart of a backfield that allowed only 1.4 goals and just under eight shots per game last season.
In contrast, MSU doubled its opponents in scoring, averaging 2.8 goals on almost 15 shots per contest.
And the upcoming season’s schedule looks to be very competitive. After defeating nine-time national champion Old Dominion in the opening game of the 2001 season, the Spartans once again open up against the Monarchs on Aug. 31 in Norfolk, Va.
MSU gets to test out the brand new Ralph Young Field for the first time on Sept. 6 against St. Joseph’s. A total of 10 games will be played on the field this season.
And the new facilities have allowed the Spartans to make history this season. MSU will play its first outdoor, night game when it hosts Penn State at 7 p.m. Sept. 27.
