The MSU football team hasn't been the school's only powerhouse this season. Just look at the No. 6 women's field hockey team.
The team competes in the Big Ten Tournament this weekend at Penn State after securing a share of the Big Ten title last weekend. Last season's team was exulted when they snatched the first Big Ten Tournament title in school history. The 2002 tournament concluded when No. 2-seed MSU upset No. 1-seed U-M in the finals with a 3-0 shutout.
Senior midfielder Alexandra Kyser said she hopes MSU fans support her winning team.
"I think this school understands Big Ten championships," Kyser said. "I think we know championships and titles and it's fun to get everyone involved."
MSU swept Big Ten Player of the Week honors when goalkeeper Christina Kirkaldy took home the defensive praise and forward/midfielder Annebet Beerman snatched up offensive kudos.
Head coach Michele Madison said she is proud of her team's accomplishments, but when it comes down to the numbers, what does it mean to her?
"Nothing," Madison said. "I think it's a great accomplishment to dominate games with individual performance, but we play a very good team game where everyone involved steps up at a different time."
MSU dropped to sixth in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Poll after holding the fifth spot last week. U-M took over the No. 5 spot after defeating Penn State last weekend. The Wolverines also were 1-0 victors over MSU earlier this season.
Despite losing to the Wolverines earlier this season, Beerman won't be worried if her team faces the maize-and-blue in tournament play.
"A lot of teams in the Big Ten are good, and it's anybody's game," Beerman said. "I hope us and Michigan meet in the finals so we can take revenge.
"We're better than them and we can beat them."
Madison said her team's confidence is high and she expects this weekend to launch her team's quest for a title.
"It's everyone's dream to make it to the tournament," Madison said. "It's our time to prove to everyone that we're good again."
