The MSU field hockey team beat Duke 4-1 on Sunday to win the inaugural Champions Challenge tournament at the MSU field hockey complex.
After beginning their season Saturday with a 1-0 win over Delaware, the Spartans improve their record to 2-0. An offensive bright spot for the Spartans on Sunday's game was senior midfielder Veerle Goudswaard, who scored two goals for the Spartans, while midfielders Jessica MIller and Annebet Beerman each notched one.
"It is a great way to start the season," MSU head coach Michele Madison said. "We worked so hard, and the results are starting to show.
"We played seven players off the bench, every one contributed and kept up the intensity. I am very proud of them."
The Spartans' defensive play began with another strong effort by junior goalkeeper Christina Kirkaldy. Kirkaldy stopped a total of 28 shots from Duke's offensive onslaught, including 11 penalty corner shots, most of which came in the second half.
"I'm impressed with the whole team effort," Beerman said. "We attacked a lot, and scored four goals, which made it less stressful than yesterday."
On Saturday, the Spartans set the tone for the match against Delaware by outshooting the Blue Hens, 11-5, while also having an 11-5 advantage in penalty corner shots.
"We dominated the game, and we did a good job of keeping Delaware away from the ball, especially at the end of the game," senior Michelle Carstens said.
Despite outplaying the Blue Hens, the Spartans were not where they wanted to be offensively.
"We need more shooting opportunities, more shots, more goals and more production," Madison said. "We need to build on what we did right.
"We played hard and relentless. We had a goal waived off but we stayed calm - the seniors stepped up and held it together."
The seniors were not the only ones who stepped up to beat the Blue Hens. Freshman forward Kathryn Elenz-Martin scored the lone goal for the Spartans, which also was the first of her career.
On defense, the Spartans played solid, especially in the net where Kirkaldy recorded the shutout.
MSU served as host for the first of four tournaments between MSU, Delaware, Louisville and Duke.
The field hockey team resumes regular season action on Sept. 4, when they travel to Virginia to take on James Madison.
