The season may have started a little shakier than they hoped, but the field hockey team has stormed to the top of the Big Ten. They will need to finish strong and get lucky to win the conference title, but a solid finish may be enough to land them in the NCAA Tournament. Before they start their late-season push, here is what they have done on the field so far:
Team MVP: Junior forward Abby Barker
Missing four games towards the beginning of the season hasn’t slowed Barker down. Since returning, she’s scored nine goals and has resumed the pace she set during her stellar sophomore year. After a 2-5 start to the season, the field hockey team has won five of eight games since Barker’s return. That’s no coincidence.
Breakout freshman: Freshman back Adrea Donaldson
Donaldson has been a key member of an improving defense for the Spartans. She leads all freshmen in points with three, and has played in 12 games.
Surprise performer: Junior forward Allie Ahern
Ahern has been the best offensive player with a team-leading 10 goals for the season. She has improved mightily on the offensive end after scoring five goals in her sophomore year. She helped the team weather the absence of Barker early in the season, and now forms a potent offensive duo with Barker.
Game of the season: 3-2 win vs. Michigan
After a slow start to the season in nonconference play, the Spartans found themselves with a 2-0 conference record with Michigan in town. By winning, they proved that the Big Ten record was no fluke. Michigan fell to 1-2 in conference play as MSU improved to 3-0. It was a momentum-shifting win for the Spartans and a sign that they could be a player in the Big Ten Conference.
Odds to win the Big Ten:
A loss to No. 5 Penn State dropped MSU to 3-1 in conference play, but they remain in the race for a Big Ten championship. Two conference games remain in the season, and if Penn State (4-0 in Big Ten play) stumbles, MSU will have a chance to secure a title.
Odds for postseason:
It’s tough to predict how far the field hockey team will go. After a lackluster start, they’ve improved their play across the board, and almost beat a field hockey powerhouse in Penn State last Saturday on the road. If they can remain consistent and pull to above .500 with the season coming to a close, they could be a definite player once postseason approaches.
Biggest games coming up: Oct. 26, Northwestern, Nov. 2, Iowa
The team likely needs to win out and hope Penn State falls twice in order to win the conference title, and these will be their biggest tests.
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