Ahern’s play has been key for a MSU field hockey team (3-6 overall) that has struggled with consistency in preseason play.

“I just go out there and I try to execute my off ball movement in making good cuts,” Ahern said. “That’s when I seem to get the ball, and then I just find the back of the net.”

Ahern credits her strong play to her offseason stint with USA Field Hockey’s High Performance Training Center, where she played with and learned from some of the top field hockey players in the country.

Ahern said the experience led to improvement in both her play and confidence level.

“My confidence has grown on the field because I just need to know that I can be the best I can be,” Ahern said. “I’ve been relying on my team to make good passes, and they’ve really helped with it.”

Ahern’s strong play on offense has been balanced by redshirt senior goalkeeper Molly Cassidy’s tenacious defensive play.

Cassidy leads the Big Ten in saves with 35 and is third in saves per game with 3.89.

Despite her stats, Cassidy admitted she isn’t happy with her personal performance, and points to the play of her teammates as the reason for her strong personal performance.

“I’m lucky I have the defenders and team in front of me that I do,” Cassidy said. “They’ve really been helping me a lot more.”

Ahern also downplayed her personal stats. Wins, according to Ahern, is a team first approach.

“We have to score, but it also takes good defense to win a game,” Ahern said. “It’s everyone that’s contributing. Like yeah, I’m finding the back of the net, but everyone’s also putting a lot of effort in. Everyone’s putting a lot of effort in, so I don’t want to take credit for it.”

The Spartans wrapped up preseason play last weekend with a win against Northeastern Friday and a loss against Old Dominion Sunday. Big Ten play will begin for MSU Saturday when they take on Ohio State at Ralph Young Field.

Despite the team’s overall record, senior midfielder Kristen Henn said the team is more than ready for Big Ten season.

“Our last couple games we’ve really been focused on our physicality and stepping up and pressuring the ball,” Henn said. “That’s really important in Big Ten play because every Big Ten game is a fight and scrappy and everything like that. We’ve been working on that, and hopefully that’ll translate over into the Ohio State game.”