Field Hockey

Sept. 18, 2011

Final Stats

East Lansing, Mich. - Michigan State staged a second-half rally - to post a 3-2, come-from-behind victory over host Providence on Sunday afternoon. Abby Barker had a pair of goals for MSU, which is now 3-5 on the season.

> "Jessica Lindner and Abby Barker were sparks today for the Spartans on offense," said head coach Helen Knull. "We had a change in mentality from the first to second half, and the effort we finished the game with needs to be there from the first whistle. After the half, everyone came out fighting and worked hard as a team. I am confident that the team that came out 2nd half will be the team the staff sees the rest of the season."

Barker, a freshman, got the Spartans on the board at 10:31, firing a shot from the top of the circle that found its mark. The Friars counted with back-to-back goals almost exactly three minutes apart, and both credited to Daniella Bernasconi. The first came off a crossing pass from the right side from Brittany Ross, while Bernasconi's second marker came on a deflection in front. Those goals gave the Friars an intermission lead.

The Spartans made some halftime adjustments and tied the game seventy-one seconds into the second half. Jessica Lindner was the Spartan scorer, as she finished off a pass from Heather Howie for her first goal of the season.

Barker got her second goal of the game- the score which would eventually stand as the game-winner -less than four minutes later. Lindner took the shot, and Barker was able to deflect it at the post.

Sophomore goalie Molly Cassidy finished the afternoon with four saves for her third victory of the season. The Spartans forced Friar keeper Shannon DiStefano to make 11 stops on the afternoon.

Michigan State now turns its attention to preparing for a mid-week game at in-state rival Central Michigan on Wednesday.

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