Amid the drudgery of fall, the MSU field hockey team has lifted the spirits of Spartan fans by advancing to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. We couldn't be more proud.
While thousands of fans were pouring into Spartan Stadium to watch the football team fail this season, the field hockey team was busy setting records and fighting toward its goal to advance to the Final Four.
And because of their success, the players are embarking on a historical journey. No other MSU field hockey team has made it this far in the tournament.
More importantly, with two more wins, the team would become the first women's team at MSU to win an NCAA Championship.
But despite the women's success this season, they have won game after game garnering little fan attention compared to some other MSU teams.
Solid players such as sophomore goalie Christina Kirkaldy, who was crowned National Rookie of the Week by womensfieldhockey.com, often go unnoticed. Both Kirkaldy and sophomore midfielder Annebet Beerman were named to the All-Big Ten Tournament team at the close of conference tournament play.
After five years of hard fought battles lost against rival Michigan, the team upset the Wolverines 3-0. As a result, MSU won its first Big Ten Tournament Championship in the field hockey program's history.
The Spartans head to Kentucky at the end of the week to face No. 2 Wake Forest. We'll be hoping they come home at the end of the weekend as champions. They've certainly earned it.
