Ann Arbor - A green and white mob covered Phyllis Ocker Field after the No. 8 MSU field hockey team fought back from behind to earn a trip to the Final Four with an emotional and controversial 3-2 victory against No. 5 Michigan on Sunday.
"It's a great day to be a Spartan," MSU head coach Michele Madison said. "That is what we woke up saying and that is how we feel now.
"There was a goal from the beginning and to have it come true down in Ann Arbor is just a sweet one. Michigan played a great game, too, it always brings out the best of both teams when we play against each other."
The Spartans' (18-3 ) desire to win was about proving themselves as a team and turning the tables on U-M who beat MSU last year, 2-1, in a second-round NCAA game in East Lansing. U-M also beat MSU earlier this year, 0-1, in overtime.
"We just emptied our buckets," senior midfielder Annebet Beerman said. "Everyone played with heart and worked as hard as they could and gave it their all."
The game started off with U-M controlling most of the early possessions. The Wolverines got on the scoreboard with a goal by forward Adrienne Hortillosa, and assisted by midfielder Jessica Blake at 17:30.
Beerman answered with a strong blast from the top of the circle, assisted by junior midfielder Jessica Miller. One minute later, Hortillosa put another goal on the board for the Wolverines, making the score 2-1.
At the half, U-M was leading and the Spartans knew they would have to step it up a notch and show how they can play ball.
"We were saying at the half to come back and play as hard as you can, come out like they have no idea what is going on," MSU senior forward Veerle Goudswaard said. "We did a good job just coming out and playing through everything, just getting back on defense and attacking as a whole team."
Looking alive, MSU took control of the game about two minutes into the second half with Goudswaard scoring after carrying the ball into the lower corner of the circle. The team exploded in excitement, as this goal pushed the Spartans back into the game with a tie.
Goudswaard's 31st goal put her into the MSU record books, breaking Nance Lyon's 1977 record of 30 single-season goals scored.
Sophomore forward Ashley Pernicano secured a lead for MSU with a goal at 42:54, assisted by Beerman, putting the score at 3-2.
"They were getting distracted by the fans and I thought, 'Woah, woah, woah, we have to get this game back on between the lines,'" Madison said. "They did a good job at regaining their composure and focus for the second half and they were able to turn the tide."
The game was concluded on double corner shot with seconds left on the clock. On the first, the referees awarded U-M another corner, saying the ball hit the body of MSU's Miller. Then with a second chance, the intensity doubled, the ball was sent and the shot was wide, taking away the Wolverines' last attempt at a win.
MSU doubled its shots from the first half in the second half with seven, however, both teams ended the game with 10 shots each. The Wolverines had nine total corner kicks, while the Spartans only recorded one corner. Both junior goalkeeper Christina Kirkaldy and U-M goalkeeper Beth Riley recorded two saves in the game.
"It's always a highly-charged emotional event, the prize of going to the Final Four. It has my heart beating right now," Madison said. "It is a shame that Michigan can't be there, too, but if one team has to go, I am glad it's us."
The Spartans will face No. 4 Duke in the Final Four in Winston-Salem, N.C. No. 2 Maryland and No. 3 Wake Forest face off in the other game.
Laura Collins can be reached at colli313@msu.edu.
